Stuart Perkins Cup and Spring 4

Sailing 25^th and 26^th April

After the Early Bird Cup was lost to the weather, Saturday’s Stuart Perkins Cup was the first chance of the season to bag some silverware. This was enough to entice 7 boats out despite a fresh WSW wind giving challenging conditions. With the forecast suggesting worsening weather through the day, a quick 1 lap course was set.

Lady Hamilton got the timing best at the start - leading the fleet to the first mark with Icon hard on her heels and the rest closely bunched behind. The next leg was out to the bell buoy, and here Antix made her move quickly hoisting her spinnaker and grabbing the lead. Icon did likewise and secured second place, ahead of Cold Steel and Samaki.

The fleet was spread out on the windward leg back in to P mark. Some were having troubles in the gusty conditions; early leader Lady Hamilton losing ground as she struggled with a main sheet which was threatening to come apart and Monsoon decided that they needed to reduce sail area and set about furling the head-sail.

Once they’d battled their way to Sandsend, it was a pretty speedy return to Whitby. Antix led home from Icon and Cold Steel, those three well clear of the two Starlights;- Samaki doing well to overturn her handicap disadvantage against Masquerade. All seven boats completing the course despite strengthening wind.

Result;- 1^st Antix, 2^nd Icon, 3^rd Cold Steel

It was back to the business of securing series points on Sunday. 9 boats headed out through a choppy harbour mouth to find better than expected conditions in the bay. A nice westerly breeze, and even a hint of sunshine.

Again Lady Hamilton got a good start, but she was quickly swallowed up by the two Sigmas – Icon and Cold Steel. Both keen to take advantage of a rare mistake by Antix which had left her struggling at the back. Qantro crept up into 3^rd early on the beat to Sandsend, Samaki also making progress through the fleet.

Tacking towards Sandsend, Antix was making up lost ground crossing ahead of Qantro but still behind the lead pair. Samaki was established at the front of class B, ahead of Masquerade and SkyWalker. Icon was first around with Antix now second ahead of Cold Steel, these 3 swiftly launching their spinnakers for the return run. Qantro was more reluctant to do so, eventually getting it up about half-way back. Samaki and SkyWalker were the only class B boats to use spinnakers, Masquerade dropping to third without one.

A short second lap saw Antix eventually get past Icon to take line honours, but Icon stayed close enough to take the win on corrected time. In class B Samaki had pulled well clear and Masquerade had re-passed SkyWalker but the handicap would give the smaller SkyWalker the advantage.

Results: Class A 1^st Icon, 2^nd Antix, 3^rd Cold Steel. Class B 1^st SkyWalker 2^nd Samaki 3^rd Masquerade

Nathaniel Drake, Rear Commodore Race

Race Report; Spring 2 & 3

SAILING 18^TH/19^TH APRIL

With a balmy week preceding the opening sailing weekend, crews were looking forward to some shirt sleeves sailing weather, but they would be sadly disappointed. Temperatures took a dive as the wind went round north and heavy oilskins would be the dress of the day for both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, seven boats were not deterred by the gloomy weather and were keen to get away, one too keen as Double D was well over starting line and had to return. Monsoon timed it superbly and led the fleet to the first turning mark off the west pier. The fleet turned the mark, hauled in their sails and started the beat to the Bell buoy. Antix had got up to speed and led the boats round the buoy with Icon not far back and Cold Steel chasing her sister ship. Monsoon’s moment of glory was over as she trailed everybody around the buoy. In class B, the smallest boat, Skywalker took the lead followed by Masquerade and then Double D. The order was maintained as class A approached the end of the first lap, but then some rusty sail handling had a big affect on the race for second. Icon rounded the penultimate buoy, but hadn’t put her genoa back up. It looked as if she’d handed second place to Cold Steel, but she also had forgotten where her halyards were and started to drop the mainsail, not once but twice. Cold Steel was first to get going at full speed and took the second place. Result:   Class A 1^st Antix, John Allen, 2^nd Cold Steel, Day,Jarvis&Gowland 3^rd Icon, Neil & Lorraine Williamson. Class B 1^st Skywalker, Pete Brown, 2^nd Masquerade, David Miller, 3^rd Double D, Dave Broughton.

By Sunday, the wind had increased and the sea was rougher. Only five boats were tempted out and they were set a short course to Sandsend and back. They quickly established the order Antix, Icon, Cold Steel, Masquerade and Skywalker and after the application of handicaps, class A’s order was maintained but in class B, the result was reversed by just 8 seconds. Result: Class A 1^st Antix, 2^nd Icon, 3^rd Cold Steel. Class B 1^st Skywalker, 2^nd Masquerade.

If you find this column incomprehensible, then you need to come along to the Yacht Club’s “Befriend a Boat Afternoon” which is being held on the Marina this Saturday, 25^th April at about 3pm after the boats return from racing. Skippers and crews will be around to show you over the boats and explain what they are doing out at sea and back in harbour. And if you might be interested in joining the club, there will be a New Members night in the club (over the top of the RNLI Museum and shop) on the same evening at 8pm. Hope to see you along.

Nigel Robinson

Vice Commodore