2nd November Cobley 9

 

With a SW wind between 10 and 14 mph, Rod B set a first beat down to No 4 across to 9 and then back down to 3, 2, 5, 8 and finally 7.
There were 18 starters and first away were the 4.7 of Hadey and the two Bytes of Hugh and Peter S, followed 2 minutes later by Mike A (Lightning) then the deadly duo of Dave P & I (Wayfarer). Then 2 minutes after the Daves; Sylvia and Paul D in Radials and Newton & Roz in the Laser 2000 sallied forth to be followed after a further 2 minutes by the Laser pack, Jon & David C, Richard S, Ken P, Dave L, Richard B and Alistair S.  This cleared the start line for the remaining three boats, Ian C (Supernova), Paul R (Aero) and Adrian in his Vago, to set out in pursuit of the fleet.
First back through the start line at the end of one lap was Hadey followed by the other early starters, Hugh, Peter and Mike, then Dave P & I and Newton & Roz. The first Lasers came next with Jon C leading from David C and Richard S.  At the back of the fleet, Richard B was battling with Alistair S and Paul D.
By the end of the second lap, Newton & Roz were leading with Jon C 2nd and David 3rd. Ken had moved up 3 places to 7th, Paul R moved up four places to 10th, but the highest mover was Ian C going from 11th to 4th.
A lap later and Ian had taken the lead with Jon and David still lying 2nd and 3rd, Newton & Roz had slipped down to 4th with Paul R moving up five places to 5th and Richard S up three places to 6th, Further down the fleet Peter had managed to get away from Hadey and Hugh, but these two were still battling and talking away !
At the final gun the first two were still in place but Paul came through to take 3rd from David and everyone else maintained station. Even with the varying wind conditions there were no retirements and few capsizes, despite the forecast of strong winds.
Final positions were 1st Ian, 2nd Jon, and 3rd Paul.


Work Party 1 November

1) Build the Bonfire for Saturday 8th November Event

2) Cut back undergrowth at Top end of access road

3) Check all Club dinghies and equipment. Check covers are fitted and boats are tied down.

5) Check Power boats for equipment and oil levels & clean

4) Clean out small freezer

5) Clean Slipways

6) Clean Club house

7) Ensure nothing left on floor of Red Shed (flood prevention)

20th October Cobley 7

 

Well what a difference a week makes, no wind last week and a 14 – 18 mph Westerly this week.  Chris A set a long beat down to No 3 then across to 2, up to 4 and a run down to 8, a gybe into a reach across to 6 with a nice gybe round this mark and back up to 3. A good course for a windy day.
Two Mirrors set off right on the start gun, Gordon P in one and young Joe & William in the other.  After 13 minutes Hugh set off in his Byte followed by Mike A (Lightning) 2 minutes later, with Mike C (Solo) and Nev and Sally (Leader) 1 minute after that and Newton & Ellen (Laser 200) another minute back. . Two minutes later the 10 strong Laser pack set out with Adrian setting out 3 minutes behind them in his Vago. Finally Steve P in the 505 started 10 minutes behind Adrian.
First back through the start was Gordon going well in the Mirror followed by Nev & Sally then Mike A and Hugh behind the Leader. At this point Newton had caught Mike C with David C in the first of the Lasers next. Joe & William were just ahead of the chasing Laser pack. Adrian had come to grief in the Vago, not all that surprising with all that sail area in a blow like that !
On the second lap, Joe & William decided to retire and the Lasers relentlessly moved up through the fleet with David and Jon C enjoying a family squabble towards the front.
On the third lap Gordon decided discretion was the order of the day and retired and after a capsize Hugh decided the same. Alistair’s boom came clean off the gooseneck and he was struggling in the wind to get it back in place. He actually managed to fix it and carry on, but shortly afterwards capsized. However showing indomitable spirit he got going again and persevered to the finish.
In fact all of the remaining fleet made it to the final gun. It got very frisky towards the end of the race and Mike C decided to take an early bath when gybing round 8 with only about 5 minutes to the finish then Mike A demonstrated the death roll on his way back to shore after the race had finished !.
The final positions were 1st David C, 2nd Jon C, 3rd Newton & Ellen


12th October Cobley 6

Last week we had a light wind Sunday and this week we had a no wind Sunday, with a 0 – 1 mph Northish ! Ian C had a real problem setting any sort of course in these conditions.
The lack of wind obviously put some off, as only 10 boats mustered for the off. First away at 4 minutes was young William P in his Topper followed 6 minutes later by Hadey (4.7), with Monica going 2 minutes later. Peter R was next away in the Enterprise with the reduced Laser pack of James P, Phil A, Dave I, Eddie B and Alistair S following one minute later and Steve P in his 505 11 minutes after the Lasers.
First through the start line after one lap was Peter followed by Monica then Hadey. Next came the three Lasers of James P, Dave I and Phil A pretty close together. Then there was a gap to William who was still holding off the Lasers of Eddie and Alistair with Steve bringing up the rear.
After two laps Monica and Eddie had retired, but Peter was still in the lead with James P moving up to 2nd, Dave I to 3rd,  Phil A to 4th  and Hadey  5th.  Steve P had by now passed Alistair and William to move up to 6th.
At the gun the first four were still the same but Steve had made up one more place to finish 5th.
The final podium was 1st Peter, 2nd James, 3rd Dave I.

 


Firework Party 8th November All Members, Juniors and Pirates Welcome

We are having a FIREWORK PARTY and YOU are invited!

When    Saturday 8th November

Where   Reading Sailing Club

Time     6.30pm till 8.30pm ish.

Cost     £2.00 for a slice of yummy Pizza and a glass of squash

Lucky wine and beer raffle

Wear warm clothes and BRING A LARGE FIREWORK or TWO ! 

Let us know you are planning to join us, so we can make sure there is plenty of Pizza!

Email laura@spacreators.co.uk

5th October Cobley Race 5

Another sunny light wind Sunday, quite a change from the work party on the previous day at which everyone got soaked! The wind was forecast to be SSW 5 mph, but for the first half of the race it was barely more than a whisper.
Mike A set a beat down to 4 and then came back up the lake via 9, 5, X, 6 and 7 then back down to 4.
First off at 3 minutes was a Pico manned by a returning member, but in fact John C in his Topaz setting off at 10 min crossed the line before the Pico. Sally (Comet) should have gone at 12 min but joined in the general lethargy and let Hugh in his Byte cross the line just ahead of her. Monica next away must have found her Europe quite small as she was fresh back from racing tall ships down to Cherbourg. Nev (Leader) and the Radials of Jess and Paul W set out 2 min later, followed by Peter R (Enterprise) and then 1 min after Peter, was a diminished Laser pack consisting of Karen, Curtis, Dave L, James P and Eddie B. Last man away at 21 min should have been Adrian in his Vago, but James decided to join in the lethargy and let Adrian cross before him.
For a time it looked as if no-one would even get to 4 never mind back up the lake, but eventually Monica led the way down to X having passed John C who was hanging on in 2nd place. Having rounded X, Monica stalled and could not find any wind, which allowed the Lasers of Curtis, Dave and Karen to slip past. Coming away from 7, Karen had snatched the lead with Dave L  2nd and Curtis 3rd. Monica was still in 4th with Nev 5th, Hugh 6th and Peter 7th and Adrian 8th.
Curtis led coming down to X for the second time but Karen and Dave were not far behind and Karen managed to slip inside Curtis at No 6 to take the lead down to 7.
These three then engaged in a tactical tacking battle as they set out for No 4. Karen had a slight lead but with the end imminent she tacked just before the gun went giving the victory to Dave. Another second and she would have also ceded 2nd place to Curtis, who was outside her going down the buoy line, but the side of her boat was just ahead of Curtis’ bow at the gun. A really, really close finish at the end of 90 minutes.
Behind these Nev just managed to take 4th ahead of Peter, with Adrian coming just ahead of Monica. In the battle of the Radials Jess managed to get ahead of Paul.
Final positions were 1st Dave L, 2nd Karen, 3rd Curtis, all in Lasers.

 


Work Party – Saturday 4 October

1) Access Road – Cutting back vegetation & branches

2) Cleaning Slipways

3) General – Grass & Nettles cutting between club gate and old sheds and back of car-park

4) Tidy up area above ceiling (top of stairs )and remove rubbish

5) Cleaning Clubhouse & Windows inside & out

6) Burn some of the old prunings (small fire please)

7) Complete off Boat Park Fencing

8) Rows P & Q Cut back vegetation and lay black sheeting.

For those using strimmer’s, mowers etc the club advises that long clothing and strong boots are worn, visors & ear protection are available.

Please print your name on the Work Party Sheet

This is in the club entrance area

28th September Cobley Pursuit Race 4

A beautiful sunny morning and with a light SE wind Tony R used a Tektona start with a first leg down to 8, then 6, 5, 9, 3, 4. It might have been a beat to 8, but the wind was constantly changing so for some it was a beat, but for others it could pretty well be anything !

There were 19 starters and first away was Sally in her new Comet, so at least she can say that she led her first race in her new boat. Hugh (Byte) and Hadey (4.7) followed 1 minute later, not strictly true as although Hugh started on time Hadey decided to give it another minute before she crossed the line! Mike A (Lightning) set out next followed a minute later by Chris A and Mike C in their Solos and then Nev and Mike in the Leaders.  Next away were the 8 Lasers of David C, Dave I, Dave L, Karen, Curtis, Richard S, Ken P and Phil A with Adrian in the Vago  going 3 minutes later and then big Steve P another 9 minutes after that.
Paul R started somewhere amongst this, but not exactly sure of the time as he was in a new RS Aero which is not in our current Pursuit Race times.
The wind was all over the place and the fleet kept stretching out and then coming together again and individual boats could lose or gain on every leg.
At the first checkpoint David C had crept into the lead with Dave I 2nd, Mike C 3rd and Karen a very close 4th, although there was no guarantee in these conditions that anyone could claim their place was safe.
After rounding 9 on what would be the last lap the fleet was fairly well stretched out. Then the leading group of boats ran out of wind about 2/3 of the way to No 3. Meanwhile the wind picked up for the boats at the back of the fleet and pretty well the whole fleet approached No 3 with about six boats abreast in rows ! There was much calling for water and windward boat ! Steve P tried a novel approach by rounding on port when everyone else was rounding on starboard!
This mass eventually got sorted and set out for No 4 and then on the final run/reach/beat to No 8 (it depended upon where you were at the time) the finish gun went.
The final positions were 1st Paul R (Aero), 2nd Dave L, 3rd Dave I (Lasers).


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