Reading Sailing Club Members

Shifts-a-plenty for yesterday’s race for the Commodore’s Cup.

15 sailors headed to the far end of the lake in search of some consistent breeze. The shifts continued throughout the start sequence, with a packed start line and many right on the line when the gun went. A starboard start at the pin end resulted in the better start. Hugh was the first around the windward mark, followed by Newton and Steve S. For the remainder of the race, Hugh, Newton and Steve kept trading places, less due to tactics and ability, but more due to where you happened to be when the wind shifted.

Elsewhere in the race, Rhys, Ralph, Joel, Richard and Rick, were all having a close fight. It wasn’t until the last lap that Ralph and Rhys managed to sail clear of the group.

Meanwhile, there were several capsizes. With two each for Rick, Nigel and Richard. One capsize for Steve P.

Steve S (Blaze) crossed the line first, with Hugh (ILCA) 2nd and Newton (Solo) 3rd. On Handicap, Newton won, with Hugh retaining his 2nd place and Steve S 3rd.

A big thank you to Jess and her team for running the racing yesterday.

After the race, there was fish stew, made by Dave, followed by ice cream.

We’re back on Sunday, for the next round of the Summer Series.

Yesterday’s round of the Commodore’s Cup nearly didn’t happen. Uncertainty around road repairs meant it was well past Sally’s nap time before racing was confirmed.

11 boats took to the water in a fairly consistent force three from the Southwest.

There was action at Joel tried to sneak in to windward of Newton at the start. Newton was having none of that and closed the gap. Despite some evasive manoeuvres, Joel hit Newton and had to complete penalty turn. Steve S was the first to the windward mark in his Blaze. Followed by Newton (Solo) and Rhys (ILCA 6). By the end of the first lap, Rhys and Mark (Aero 7) had overtaken Newton, who was down to 4th place. Elsewhere in the race, Nigel, Aileen, Steve P and Ian were having a close fight for the best of the rest.

There was further drama on lap 3, when Newton was rammed into by Rhys whilst rounding the windward mark, in what was clearly an act of ageism. By the time Rhys had completed his penalty turns, he’d been passed by both Joel and Mark B.

Steve S was first across the line, followed by Newton and Mark B. On Handicap, Steve S held onto his win, with Joel 2nd. It was too close to call for the 3rd place, so Rhys and Newton share the final podium place.

A big thank you to Hugh and his team for organising the racing yesterday.

One of the victims of the uncertainty regarding road repairs was the post racing meal, which was cancelled. Sally had a Tuna sandwich for dinner instead which she said was very enjoyable, but didn’t offer to share it with anyone.

We’re back on Sunday for the 1st rounds of the Summer Series.

A gusty force three from the Southwest greeted sailors for the final races of the Spring Series.

12 sailors made it out to the start of the pursuit race, with Will S in his Topper setting off first. The majority of the fleet set off at the same time, passing Chris H in his Comet. Will S remained ahead for the rest of the race, finishing half a leg in front. Chris K finished 2nd (ILCA 6), with Darren 3rd.

There was an eventful start in the Handicap race, with only 8 sailors remaining. Mike and Alé were way over the line, but weren’t called out on it. Will S managed to hide behind their boat and was also over, both getting good starts. Mike and Alé maintained their lead throughout the race. Elsewhere Newton and Chris K were having a close battle for 2nd place, with Richard S also in the mix before dropping back. Elsewhere, Will S and Chris H were having a close battle, with Will finishing just ahead.

Mike and Alé crossed the line first with Chris K 2nd and Newton 3rd. On Handicap, Will S took the win, marking a clean sweep for the day. Chris K was 2nd and Newton 3rd.

Not many capsizes yesterday, probably due to the absence of the usual suspects…

A big thank you to Rhys and his team for running the racing yesterday.

We’re back on Wednesday for the next round of the Commodore’s Cup.

Sailors arrived nervously for the Commodore’s Cup last night. A constant squall was hitting the shore, leading to several sailors to wimp out…

11 boats made it onto the water, and just after the gun, the wind eased and the sun came out. Hugh, Steve S and Newton rounded the windward mark first, with Rhys close behind. Hugh lost out at the leeward mark due to a rigging failure (is it a rigging failure if you don’t rig your boat properly?!) Steve S had his smaller sail on (Blaze Fire) and struggled to pass Newton in his Solo. Hugh meanwhile had caught up again just as Steve Passed Newton to take the lead.

Elsewhere in the race, Rhys (ILCA 6) had caught up with the leaders, whilst Joel (also ILCA6) was closing too. Tim and Steve P were having a close battle to finish in the top 10.

On lap 4, Alé had a rigging failure leading to his retirement. Conveniently, this rigging failure happened very close to the shore…

Steve S crossed the line first, followed by Hugh, then Rhys. On Handicap, Rhys finished first, marking his first win of the year. Newton was 2nd and Joel finished 3rd.

Steve P was the only capsize of the night, a figure aided by the fact Mark didn’t race, instead valiantly volunteering for an OOD duty. Once the wind died, he abandoned his post (with permission) and went out to improve his Sail:Capsize ratio.

A big thank you to Karen and her team for organising the racing yesterday.

After the race, there was Lasagne and Chocolate Mousse, made by Tim.

We’re back on Sunday for the final rounds of the Spring Series.

Six sailors braved the squall-like conditions on Bank Holiday Monday, for the Whitsun Pennant.

Steve S decided to brave the Small sail on his Blaze Fire. And shot off into an early lead. This was closely followed by Newton (Solo). A bit of a gap followed, with Richard W and Joel neck and neck in their ILCA 6 sails. The remaining racers retired due to the conditions.

Steve extended his lead, with Richard and Joel catching up with Newton due to a rare capsize.

4 gruelling laps later the race came to an end, with Steve way out in front, followed by Newton, Richard and Joel. On Handicap, Steve S took the win, with Richard W 2nd and Newton 3rd.

A big thank you to Ian S and his team for organising the racing yesterday.

We’re back on Wednesday for the next round of the Commodore’s Cup.

A special treat for everyone this week, as the race report is brought to you by the Jolly Sailor’s apprentice. The Jolly Sailor was unavailable and not really interested as the race didn’t involve Mark capsizing his Aero.

Windy conditions and the bank holiday weekend seemed to put off many sailors.

Nigel had already offered to be 2nd PB for Peter Rose and his team. Rick also decided to join the race team after watching some big gusts come through.

Which left just three fools (sorry sailors) to compete in one pursuit race

By agreement the pursuit race was started at the 7.5minute mark as all three dinghies (a solo and two laser radials) had the same handicap.

A westerly wind meant that a land based start line could be used. However the start line pin was stuck fast in weed and mud at the far end of the lake, so a temporary mark had to be used instead.

At the start Chris Kilshaw got himself luffed up while the other two made good starts. That ended up being the story of the whole race – Chris K would catch and sometimes overtake Darren only to incur a penalty, catch a gust wrong or lose out to a wind shift. Newton in his solo kept challenging the two laser radials until near the end of the race when the gusts picked up and he seemed to settle for 3rd.

Darren finished first overall, with Chris K 2nd.

Only one capsize today despite the difficult conditions, the Honours for which go to Darren (Mark B must be proud).

A big thank you to Peter Rose and his team for organising the racing today.

We’re back on the Bank Holiday Monday for the Whitsun Pennant.