Easter Race Series Race 1 & 2

Published 08:23 on 1 Apr 2024

After the F11 registered at Chimet on the Thursday there was always going to be a lingering blow on the Friday. Chimet was registering F6 at 09:00 and F5 at 11:00 with the forecast showing a drop over the following couple of hours observations taken at Bembridge Point suggested more of a constant south westerly F4 with small gust uplifts. The decision was taken to race and get some of those winter cobwebs blown out!

As it happened we only had 5 takers, all scow sailors. A kind offer was made by the scow sailors to sail in the harbour rather than go to the effort of getting Sir P all rigged up and a course laid outside the harbour. The offer was gratefully received!

A harbour course was set of twice round 10A, 14, Upside Down Y, 17, H. Martyn Davies got a great start closely followed by Rob Orr. It looked like it was going to be a procession with the small fleet well spread out until Martyn's boat, leading Rob by a good 50 yards 'stopped' between 17 and H where we had very light winds. As he struggled to get going again the entire fleet passed him with James Gabbani and Richard Coleman heading off for the second leg in first and second position. Richard sailed off masterfully into the scow sunset to win the race. Rob managed to catch James by 17 but was overtaken himself by Martyn on the line after providing light entertainment by sailing backwards in front of the clubhouse it was, however, a fine fightback from Martyn. Like Martyn, James was then caught out by the light airs at 17 and H allowing a surprised Mike Bottoms to sail past and pip him for 4^th.

1^st Richard Coleman

2^nd Martyn Davies

3^rd Rob Orr

4^th Mike Bottoms

5^th James Gabbani

There then followed an intermission where our racers needed to... erm... rehydrate before taking to the boats again!

The second race featured a shortened course of twice round 14, WW mark by Bembridge Outboards, Upside Down Y, 17. The fleet had begged for H to be dropped as there was no wind there and the RO, being a Really Good Bloke duly acquiesced. This was a rather more straightforward affair with Martyn once again leading the fleet across the start line. More significant gusts led to a couple of boats taking on lots of water but our hardy sailors laughed in the face of wet feet (Erm... can you laugh in the face of a foot? Ed) and completed the course. A comfortable victory for Martyn, followed across the line by James with wet feet.

1^st Martyn Davies

2^nd James Gabbani

3^rd Richard Coleman

4^th Rob Orr

5^th Mike Bottoms

Many thanks to my ARO John Ellis, to Lynne Wood for arranging the patrol boats and to the crews on the patrol boats - Andy Pavey, Chris Chadwick, Polley Townson and Murray Clarke your time is very much appreciated by us all.

Ron Elliott, RO

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Last updated 19:50 on 18 December 2024