Team Report: RSC Youth at Weymouth

 
A quick report from the National Schools Sailing Association’s Match Racing event that was meant to take place this weekend (7/8th Nov).  RSC entered a team in the form of Hadey (helm),  Hugh (main),  and William (bow).  The event was held at  Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (the venue of the 2012 Olympics), and using the RYA’s fleet of Elliot 6m keelboats, that were also used in the Olympics.  Unfortunately the weather didn’t co-operate with Saturday seeing mean wind speeds of 31 kts (force 7) with gusts not quite topping out at 50 kts (49.29 kts).  Winds started a little calmer on Sunday, but with the forecast showing a rapid return to speeds above 20 kts there wasn’t going to be enough time to run enough races to make a meaningful event, and the organisers decided to cancel the whole event. This at least meant that the RYA would return the boat hire fees.    
 
So obviously disappointing in some respects, but the team did at least get to try out the Elliots on the moorings (see photo below), and the NSSA and the Umpires laid on briefings on match racing tactics.  There was also the opportunity for an impromptu visit to Portland Bill (to check how really windy it was), and a team trip around the yacht chandleries in Weymouth.  The team also developed in-depth knowledge of the opening times of Fish & Chip shops in the Weymouth area.
 
The NSSA hope to replace this event at some point using SB20’s on Farmoor reservoir at Oxford – where hopefully the wind will be more compliant. 
 
                                The Team
 
 
                Instruction on the Elliot 6m
 
 
 
Team Practising their upwind technique at Portland Bill
(Or “Karen it really was this windy! “)
 
 
 
James Primrose
Team Manager
 

Work Party 7 November

Job list

  • Clean jetty. Extra hose reel available in red shed
  • Rake fallen leaves of grassed area in front of clubhouse and jetty
  • Rake weed from slipways
  • Cut any overhanging branches/bushes on access road to club
  • Cut a path to the septic tank, for access. There is a bollard, by the undergrowth near the old water-ski sheds, marking the rough position. 
  • Cut in a direct line from it. The tank has a concrete top. Suggest using the brush cutter with the blade, but be careful of bricks etc.
  • Check club dinghy trolley tyres are inflated OK
  • Check rescue boat trailer tyres are inflated OK
  • Help construct bonfire

Cobley Series 1st November

A misty Autumnal morning with very little wind, but surprisingly there were 16 starters.  
Adrian had a difficult job setting a course as there was not enough wind to suggest which direction would offer a first beat ! In the end he settled on 6P 9S 5S 7P 8S with the start line from the flag pole to the pin which was roughly in line with No 8 but further out.
 
Pursuit Race
For the second week in a row the final two marks became irrelevant as the leaders rounded 5 and were finished shortly after.
The positions changed considerably during the course of this short race due to the vagaries of the wind and the lack of visibility in the thick mist.
William in his Topper led by quite a way, but rounding 9 he set off in the direction of 4 rather than 5. It was not possible to actually see either mark in the poor visibility ! A number of following boats set off in the same direction as William before they twigged they were heading west. One of the rescue boats was unfortunately parked in front of No 5, which did not help the fleet to spot exactly where the mark was. Karen came to the rescue by politely asking them to move so that No 5 was revealed faintly in the distance.
As often happens in light winds the back half of the fleet rounded 9 and were rewarded with a nice little breeze which propelled them past most of the front half of the fleet before reaching No 5. Soon after rounding 5 the finish gun sounded and the final positions were –
1st Newton & Ellen (RS 200); 2nd Sylvia (Laser); 3rd Karen (Laser); 4th Curtis (Otter); 5th James (Laser); 6th Rick (Laser).
 
Handicap  
Despite the lack of wind everyone stayed on for the second race of the day.
The course was adjusted slightly by dropping No 9 and Mike A (Lightning) led round the first mark but was passed by a trio of Lasers, Richard, Rod and Dave L, before reaching No 5. In the light wind it was quite tricky to manoeuvre and Hadey got caught out by Karen on starboard and reluctantly had to do penalty turns.
There was only time for one lap and there was some confusion at the finish line as Richard in the lead received the finish gun as he crossed the line heading towards No 8. The following boats were not sure whether the finish line was before the mark or after the mark. Rod veered off to cross the line which allowed Dave L to slip past him. Mike A slightly further back in fourth place thought the boats ahead of him were being finished before the mark and headed directly for the line rather than carrying on towards 8. This cost him dearly as he got into the lee of the trees on the bank and it took him 5 minutes to get back to round the mark allowing Sylvia to come through to take fourth place.
After these four boats had crossed the line the wind died away completely and Sally, Curtis, James and John C gave up all hope of finishing and started paddling to retirement. The prize for tenacity goes to Rick who was determined to finish and finally crossed the line 43 minutes after the first boat.
The final positions were –
1st Richard; 2nd Dave L; 3rd Rod; 4th Sylvia; 5th Mike A; 6th Karen
 
Thanks to Adrian and the OOD Team Pat, Mick, Richard M, Paul B and Simon R.
 
 

Cobley Series 25th October

Another pleasant morning, but no wind ! Probably why there were only 9 starters.
Richard S set a short course of 6P 8S 5S 7P with the start line from the club house.
 
Pursuit Race
For the pursuit race the marks 5 and 7 became irrelevant as the leaders rounded 6 and then only got half way to 8 when the 35 mins was up ! 
David M (Laser) was over the line at the start and had got half way to the first mark before he realised and turned back to restart, just what you want when there is no wind.
The final positions were
1st Roland & Ryan (National 12); 2nd Eddie B (Laser); 3rd Newton & Ellen (RS 200); 4th Mark B (Laser); 5th Adrian (Rooster); 6th Karen (Laser).
First time for a while that Eddie has been on the podium, but have to take them when you can !
 
Handicap  
The wind improved very slightly for the second race, but even so Mark could not take any more excitement and decided to sit this one out.. Ellen & Newton got a good start at the far end of the line with slightly more wind and were nearly a leg ahead by the time they got to the second mark. Roland & Ryan were going well in second and reduced the gap by half by the end of the first lap. David M came through in third with Karen fourth, Adrian fifth and RSC 21 (Not signed on) in sixth place.
Rick (Laser) and Eddie became becalmed and decided enough was enough.
A big wind shift at the start of the second lap allowed Roland & Ryan to catch Ellen & Newton before the wind disappeared again and they passed Ellen & Newton on the way to 8. With very little wind Richard sensibly set a finish line at 5 after just 1 and half laps. David made up for his first race and finished a creditable third, which could be his first podium finish.
The final positions were –
1st Roland & Ryan; 2nd Ellen & Newton; 3rd David M; 4th Karen; 5th Adrian; 6th RSC 21
 The corrected times on handicap were the same as the finishing order.
 
Thanks to Richard S and the OOD Team James, Chris B, Phil M and Nigel J.
 

Cobley Series 18th October

It was a pleasant mid- October morning with a light wind which increased slightly as the race went on.
Monica had arrived back from her voyages, obviously refreshed and wearing a rather fetching tartan outfit (Royal Stuart I think).
 
Pursuit Race
There were 20 starters including our resident Mirror fleet of Pat and Gordon.
First back through the line was Chris (Comet) followed by Curtis who was giving his Otter an airing (that’s his boat not his pet !), Hadey (4.7) was 3rd, Newton &Ellen (RS200) 4th, Mike A (Lightning) 5th and Joe (Topper) 6th. Pat in her Mirror was going well in 7th place but the Lasers were fast approaching.
At the gun the final positions were 1st Newton & Ellen; 2nd Chris; 3rd Hadey; 4th Roland & Ryan (National 12); 5th Sylvia (Laser) and 6th Jon (Laser).
 
Handicap
Pat and Gordon decided it was time for a cup of tea, so 18 set off at the start of the handicap race.
Mark B (Laser) was first through the line at the end of the first lap closely followed by Jon, David C (Laser), Roland & Ryan, Adrian (Rooster) and David M (Laser).
By the second lap Jon had taken the lead and Roland & Ryan had moved up to 2nd pushing Mark down to 3rd.  In mid-fleet Dave L, Sylvia, Hugh and James were having a good battle in their Lasers (well in Hugh’s case it was Dad’s Laser, hence the appearance of the Otter). Behind them Rick (Laser), Chris and Mike A were also having a close tussle and further back Hadey and Curtis were trying to catch Dean & Nick (Vago).
At the end of the third and last lap Ellen & Newton crossed the finish line in 1st place with Mark 2nd, Adrian 3rd, Roland & Ryan 4th, Jon 5th and Sylvia 6th. The other movers on this last lap were David M up two places to 8th, James up two to 9th, Chris up two to 13th and Curtis up two to 15th.
On handicap the significant changes were Jon up to 3rd ,Sylvia up to 4th and David C to 5th pushng Roland & Ryan down to 6th.
 
Thanks to Karen the SOOD and the team of Stuart, Roland L, Mike T and Bill C.
 

Cobley Series 11th October

Not many details I am afraid, but it was obviously the day to be in a Laser, even Franz turned out in his Laser for the first time this series.
 
Pursuit Race
We actually had a fleet of Enterprises (well two to be precise) again another first time for this series as both Peter R and Jon M turned out. Hugh continued his musical boats routine and was back in his Byte for this one.
The first six boats were all Lasers –
1st Dave L; 2nd Hadey (actually 4.7); 3rd David C; 4th; Karen; 5th Jon and 6th Richard S.
 
Handicap Race
The Enterprises disappeared but Sylvia & Peter turned out in their RS 200 to make a mini fleet of RS 200s along with Ellen & Newton. Ken also made a first appearance in the series to swell the Laser fleet, not that it really needed swelling
Again the first six boats were Lasers –
1st David C; 2nd Karen; 3rd Ken; 4th Hadey; 5th Richard S and 6th Curtis.
 
Thanks to the OOD Team and sorry that I do not have your names.
 
 

Cobley Series Races

This particular Jolly Sailor has been away for a few weeks so the race reports are somewhat curtailed and having to rely on information from the race sheets..
 
27th September 2015
Pursuit Race
There were 15 starters and at the gun the final positions were 1st Ellen & Hadey (RS 200); 2nd David C (Laser); 3rd Steve P (Laser); 4th John H (Laser); 5th Adrian (Rooster); 6th Curtis (Laser).
Handicap Race
Ian C (Supernova) decided to join the fun for this race (or he was completely missed in the Pursuit Race !), so there were 16 starters for the second half.
The early leader was David C (Laser) followed by Ian C, Adrian (Rooster), No number Ghost, 67268 Ghost and Steve P (Laser).
By the end of the four laps Ian had taken the lead on the water with David in second followed by another three Lasers, James, 67268, No number and Ellen & Newton (RS 200).
Curtis (Laser) disappeared after one lap and Dean & Nick (Vago),Paul W (Sport 14) and John C (Topaz) were denied the pleasure of the last lap.
 
The final results on handicap were 1st David; 2nd Ian; 3rd James; 4th Ellen & Newton; 5th Dave L (Laser); 6th David M (Laser). Not sure what happened to the two ghosts but they seem to have been spirited away off the leader board !
 
Thanks to Rod B and his OOD Team (whoever they were)
 
4th October 2015
There was very little wind today, but even so, 14 boats started both races.
Pursuit Race
Karen (Laser) was the only sailor to complete one lap so not surprisingly she was ahead at the gun.
Perhaps more surprising was Steve P in second place, you would think a big lad in a big boat would suffer in the light wind, but it must have been the superior quantity of canvas he managed to get up the pole in his 505 ! In third place were the all-girl crew of Hadey & Ellen in the RS 200 with 4th John W (Laser), 5th Dave I (Laser – good to see you back on the water Dave), 6th Sally (Comet).
It was also good to see Jon M back on the water, but having sold his Solo to Newton he was now out in an Enterprise. William came out top of the Toppers followed by Ben and then Joe.
Handicap Race
In the light winds this was a two lap affair dominated by the girls. Ellen & Hadey crossed the finish line just ahead of Karen, then there was a gap back to James in 3rd, John W 4th and ominously for them Sally in 5th with Jon M 6th. Dave I and Steve P decided one lap was enough for them, but everyone else finished the course.
This time Joe took the honours in the Toppers followed by William and then Ben.
 
The final positions on handicap were 1st Sally; 2nd Ellen & Hadey tied with Karen; 4th James; 5th John W; 6th Joe.
 
What a day for the girls, three female helms in the top three places and four if you include Hadey crewing. That must be another first.
In the Pursuit  Race there were also three women in the top three places !
 
Thanks to David C and the OOD Team
NOTE 
Don’t forget to sign in on the Declaration Sheet and that includes the names of crew as well as helms.
OOD Teams please put your names on the foot of the race sheet – there is a space provided.
It would be good to have the course recorded – there is a space for that as well !
 
 

Team Report: RSC Toppers at the NSSA Single Handed Team Racing Event

 
A team of Reading youth Topper sailors consisting of Ben, Joe and William (ably supported by their respective Dads) competed in the weekend just gone in the National School’s Sailing Assoc. single handed team racing event at the Hunts Sailing Club at St Ives in Cambridgeshire.  This was a large event consisting of 32 teams from all over the country from as far afield as Plymouth, Barry in South Wales, and Lancashire, but also including Reading’s arch rivals, Claire’s Court, coached by Reading’s very own Vice Commodore – the turncoat !
 
The weather was fine on both days with a fresh 9-11 mph breeze that picked up during both days. For the event’s size it was very well run with some 160 races sailed over 2 days, in sequences of 6 flights of boats with a constant stream of team/boat changeovers. So the boys had to get their eyes in from the get-go in terms of the sausage machine that was the start sequence.  Success came early for Reading, winning 3 out of the 6 races sailing on Saturday placing them 9th overall (and ahead of both of Claire Court’s teams !).  However, reality dawned a little on the second day of racing.  Firstly, came the news that one of the races had been recorded incorrectly, and in fact Reading had only won 2 on Saturday. Secondly, as the boys faced tougher competition they found out that team racing is about tactics, as well as sailing well.  Despite, some hard fought races frustratingly being pipped at the post a number of times, Reading couldn’t add to their overall tally of wins, and so ended the competition well down the field.  It was a learning experience for the Dads as well who had a chance to go out on the umpire boats, and pick up umpiring tips as well as some of the finer points of the racing rules – just don’t mention rule 42 to Steve, you’ll never get him off it! 
 
At the end of the day, the boys should be proud of their performance, their standard of sailing was consistently of a very high standard throughout 2 days of a fairly gruelling sailing schedule. It is a question of focusing now on the tactics to turn those sailing skills into points.
 
The NSSA and Hunts SC should be commended for staging such a large event and all the preparation necessary to make it go so smoothly. Congratulations should also go to Claire’s Court, whose 2 teams came 12th and 25th respectively.
 
 
Some video footage courtesy of the official Reading SC Team Photographer – Steve.
 
 
James Primrose
Team Manager
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