Race Report - David Duke Trophy - 22nd August

David Duke Trophy – 22nd August

A new trophy, presented to the Yacht Club in memory of long standing member David Duke by his family, was contested for the first time on Saturday.

The race was to Runswick Bay via the Boulby buoy and seven yachts headed out to compete. This was reduced to 6 before the start however as a failed hull fitting left Double D taking water and hurrying back to harbour. The remaining boats prepared themselves for a long downwind sail to Boulby, most had spinnakers ready to launch but Cold Steel bravely got theirs up early and forced their way past Masquerade to the front. Icon, Samaki, Qantro and Lady Hamilton quickly responded brightening the bay up with their multi-coloured spinnakers.

Cold Steel and Icon were in a close duel around P mark and heading off across the bay. Samaki took up 3rd with Lady Hamilton keeping up well and Qantro who had started further inshore initially struggling to find the wind. The only boat without a spinnaker – Masquerade – was already finding it slow going.

Towards Sandsend the fleet encountered the first of many holes in the wind which would come to define the race. The leaders slowed and the fleet bunched up. Qantro having decided that the boats further out were making better progress edged her way out and up to 3rd, while Icon had a slender lead over Cold Steel. By now Masquerade had decided it wasn’t going to be her day and headed home to catch the last morning bridge.

Rounding the first headland Icon and Cold Steel again lost the wind. Qantro caught up, heading a bit further out, but as she pulled ahead also slowed. Samaki, followed by Lady Hamilton, decided to stay closer in out of the tide, and edged their way back into contention. All struggled to find enough wind to overcome the tide. Spinnakers and genoas were raised and lowered as the wind threatened to change direction.

When the breeze did return it was again from behind, so spinnakers reset the fleet started making progress again. And it was Qantro who was making the fastest progress, pulling ahead of her rivals. Cold Steel gained 2nd, and started to head further out where Qantro had been doing well. By now the tide was turning and providing some assistance, but would hinder their return.

Qantro held onto her lead as they approached Boulby, and as race officer had to ponder whether they could make it back to Runswick, which meant turning against the tide but with a generous time limit decided the race should continue (drat!). She had made little progress though as Cold Steel rounded, and they sat just holding position against the current. Just as Icon approached some 18 minutes later the wind backed dramatically, and the leaders were now flying their spinnakers heading in the opposite direction to where they had before. This meant the remaining boats faced a steady beat to the rounding mark, while Qantro and Cold Steel started to head back, with Icon now closing on them.

This time Qantro headed closer to shore, brushing past Staithes, and again had it right as she re-established her lead. Cold Steel was still holding off Icon for 2nd, while Samaki and Lady Hamilton were now on the return leg too. About halfway back Qantro still held a clear lead but the wind kept going light and progress was slow, the wind veered back around and so the leader was close hauled as she edged her way down the coast trying to keep out of the tide.

Then just as she approached Runswick she ground to a halt as the wind died. Cold Steel slowly edged back up to her, but she too was struggling and Icon was looming behind them. Cold Steel tried to sneak up the inside but found it too shallow and had to tack out allowing Icon to catch her. All 3 were caught in a hole with virtually no wind and the tide pushing them back. Qantro remained closest to shore, and with least tide against her, just held onto the lead, but her hopes of glory were fading fast. The breeze was returning further out to sea. Icon spotted it and battled her way out to it with Cold Steel just a few boat lengths behind her.

In the deciding moment Icon caught the wind and was away, leaving her 2 challengers trapped. Amazingly there was almost too much wind for Icon as she sped to the finish, but Cold Steel and Qantro still had none and remained stationary. To compound their misery, Samaki found her way through and also sped off to take 2nd. Lady Hamilton decided to call it a day, and a pretty despondent Qantro soon did likewise, but Cold Steel persisted and eventually, 50 minutes after Icon, found their way into the breeze and to the finish.

Result; 1st Icon, Neil & Lorraine Williamson, 2nd Samaki, Nigel Robinson, 3rd Cold Steel, Dey, Jarvis and Gowland

Race Report: Tyler Cup 17 August 2015

Tyler Cup – 17^th August

A strong North Westerly wind on Friday forced the postponement of the Tyler Cup as conditions in Sandsend bay were not suitable for the dinghies. Fortunately the organisers had a back-up plan and so the little boats were taken to the calmer waters of Scaling Dam on Monday to contest the cup over two races. 4 dinghies made it to the re-arranged event – all of them Enterprises so there’d be no handicaps to worry about.

With the breeze blowing across the dam a technical course was set, zig-zagging around the marks up to the far end of the dam then running straight back. A testing combination of beats, reaches and runs – and navigation!

Grey Matter claimed the desirable windward end of the start-line for the opening race with Whirlpool shadowing her, State of Mind was a bit further to leeward but hit the line with good speed, while Sundowner got the timing wrong and was at the back. Able to lay the mark in one tack, Grey Matter led but State of Mind got a wind shift that lifted them onto the mark too and so rounded just ahead of Whirlpool.

Grey Matter than reached rapidly across the lake to the next mark, only to realise they’d gone to the wrong one and have to turn around. Fortunately for them neither State of Mind or Whirlpool had spotted the mistake and they had both followed the leader in the wrong direction. This presented an opportunity to Sundowner, but although she knew something was amiss and headed to a different mark she too got it wrong!

Next a shallow water mark was mistaken for the turning point and, as Grey Matter struggled to find the right mark, State of Mind took the lead. Her chances of breaking clear were hampered however by Whirlpool who was close behind and pinching her wind in an attempt to gain an overlap. And so, all three were tightly packed as they finally went around the correct mark. Grey Matter was third around but well placed to steal the wind as her two rivals, battling each other, both lost momentum and so the order was soon restored to Grey Matter, State of Mind, Whirlpool. Whirlpool then found herself in shallow water and had to tack away, losing a bit more ground.

The lead 3 now had their navigation sorted, and were making good progress. All were kept on their toes as the gaps grew and then shrank through the rather patchy wind. Sundowner was still struggling to find her bearings though and eventually gave up. Grey Matter completed a clean second lap to win race 1. State of Mind had put up a good chase but were unable to catch the leader and by finish they too were looking over their shoulders as Whirlpool had a late burst and closed to with a few seconds.

Race 2 used the same course, which by now everyone had learnt. Grey Matter again claimed the windward end of the line, State of Mind and Whirlpool battled for the middle ground and Sundowner made a much better get away and was in contention too. While Grey Matter led again chased by State of Mind, Whirlpool misjudged the wind and found herself in a much lighter patch, so she was passed by Sundowner.

Towards the end of lap 1, Sundowner was still third but Whirlpool was gaining, then around the final mark Sundowner went wide Whirlpool hardened up and went inside only for Sundowner to tack across her bow. A collision was inevitable but fortunately there was no damage and, once Sundowner had completed her penalty turns, both were able to continue.

At the front State of Mind seemed for a while to be gaining on Grey Matter, but by the finish Grey Matter had edged away to take her second win and with it the cup. Whirlpool sailed a much better 2^nd lap, pulling clear of Sundowner but she couldn’t bridge the gap to State of Mind who secured the runners-up prize.

Overall Result: 1^st Grey Matter, Neil & Andrew Williamson, 2^nd State of Mind, Graham Oliver & Keith Gowland, 3^rd Whirlpool, George Davey & Nathaniel Drake  

Race Report: Robinson Cup 15th August 2015

Robinson Cup – 15^th August

Eight yachts competed for the Robinson Cup on the Saturday of Whitby Regatta weekend. A fresh WNW wind had created a slightly lumpy sea but provided plenty of power for the sails and it was a keenly contested start – Icon and Cold Steel finding their usual positions near the front but Lady Hamilton and Samaki were mixing with them too. Further back both Monsoon and Skywalker had troubles getting their sails set and were slow away.

After a short opening leg the fleet headed out to the Bell Bouy. Icon was now established at the front with Cold Steel leading the chase. Skywalker and Monsoon began their recoveries overhauling B&B and gaining on Lady Hamilton.

Once around the mark different tactics came into play for the long leg to Sandsend;- most tacked into the bay but Samaki and Masquerade headed out to sea and made good progress. Not quite good enough to catch Icon though as she rounded first and quickly set her spinnaker for the return run, Cold Steel holding second ahead of Samaki. Monsoon and Masquerade seemed as though they would be in a close battle for 4^th but Monsoon was caught out by a wind shift and lost ground with an unintended tack. B&B had a bigger problem, having dropped their radio overboard they were circling to pick it back up, losing lots of time and eventually retiring – but they got the radio back!

A jibe around the bell buoy, a quick reach back to the harbour mark and a harden-up to cross the line completed lap 1. Icon was now edging clear of Cold Steel who in-turn was pulling away from Samaki. Monsoon was gaining on Masquerade, while Skywalker was now ahead of Lady Hamilton and clinging onto the bigger boats infront - still in contention on handicap.

Lap 2 followed the same course as the first, but the wind had eased and also veered a bit more to the North. This became clear on the leg to Sandsend, Samaki again took the seaward route, but the boats tacking in shortly after the Bell Bouy were able to lay the mark in one tack and so there was little to be gained by deviating from the direct line and the order remained unchanged.

Icon had her spinnaker set and was charging back long before the others reached Sandsend. Cold Steel was secure in second place but Samaki was aware that she was in a battle for third with the lower rated boats behind and so she too launched her spinnaker. That wasn’t an option for Masquerade or Monsoon who aren’t rated to use one but they still made good progress, especially Monsoon who found the speed to overtake her rival for fourth.

Skywalker made use of their spinnaker to stay in touch, while Lady Hamilton was finding the wind had eased a bit much for her liking. These two would face one more unexpected hurdle as the Trinity House service boat arrived at the Bell Bouy and positioned herself to lift the mark just as they approached. Skywalker making it through, but after some radio discussions Lady Hamilton had to divert.

Icon completed the course 5 minutes clear of her closest challenger to take the cup. Cold Steel had done enough for the runners-up spot. Third home was Samaki, then in order Monsoon, Masquerade, Skywalker and Lady Hamilton, but there was disappointment for Samaki as the handicap promoted Skywalker to the final step of the podium. The corrected times also switching Masquerade ahead of Monsoon. 

Result; - 1^st Icon, Neil and Lorraine Williamson, 2^nd Cold Steel, Dey, Jarvis and Gowland, 3^rd Skywalker, Peter Brown.

Race Report; 8th & 9th August

SAILING REPORT, 8^TH & 9^TH AUGUST

9 boats headed out on Saturday for the 6^th race of the pursuit series. Little wind was forecast but they found a gentle Easterly breeze and so the race could get underway on time. Double D was first away, and after a short windward leg settled into a long steady run to Sandsend. Lady Hamilton was next away, their big yellow spinnaker giving them the speed to rapidly close the gap. Monsoon and B&B were next away, followed by Samaki then Masquerade and Qantro. At this stage it was clearly a case of have and have nots, as those with spinnakers – Samaki and Qantro – made short work of passing and pulling clear of those without. Cold Steel started a few minutes later and, big spinnaker set, gobbled up the ground to those infront too. Icon had a long wait before finally getting to start 38 minutes after the first boat, but she too made fast progress.

Lady Hamilton overhauled Double D and reached Sandsend in the lead, but with the importance of spinnakers having been so clearly demonstrated, it seemed wise to carry them to the inner Sandsend mark. This meant a tricky jibe, which Lady Hamilton was a bit slow to do and as she ran wide Samaki hit the front, Qantro was on her tail and she in turn had Cold Steel bearing down on her. Then the leaders hit a hole in the wind, grinding to a near standstill. The fleet bunched back up as they slowly drifted towards the mark. Qantro briefly led as they rounded but it was all very tight as the boats carefully edged around each other and the mark with hardly any wind to power them. Samaki led a bunch including Cold Steel, Qantro and Monsoon heading out in search of breeze, while Masquerade and Lady Hamilton stuck closer to shore. Icon, who had done well to keep her sails full all the way, was now well in contention and went up the middle.  As the breeze returned all started making good progress, and it was a question of who had chosen the best line. An indication came as Masquerade tacked out, she crossed just infront of Icon while Qantro had to give way but she was well behind Cold Steel, who was clearly in the lead.

Just a few minutes remained as the boats rounded the windward mark to start another run but the positions were not yet safe. Cold Steel, round first, rapidly launched their spinnaker to secure the victory. Samaki had done well to round in 2^nd, but Icon soon had her spinnaker set and were past. Masquerade was round next but Qantro was close behind and carrying enough speed to overtake. Monsoon had caught Lady Hamilton who was ahead of Double D, B&B struggling to escape the Sandsend hole. 

Result:  1^st Cold Steel, Dey, Jarvis and Gowland, 2^nd Icon, Neil & Lorraine Williamson, 3^rd Samaki, Nigel Robinson

Just 5 boats came out to race on Sunday to find that they’d have spectators for their race with the Dutch square rigged ship, Stad Amsterdam, anchored just outside the harbour. Those that didn’t come out would probably regret it, as the wind was much stronger and consistent than the previous day. With the wind coming from the west, the Race Officer sent the fleet off on a westerly start. As the start signal sounded, Icon’s sheets parted from her genoa causing her crew to rapidly repair the damage, but it cost her ground. Masquerade took full advantage of the situation and was the first boat round the initial mark. Samaki followed her with Icon alongside and Lady Hamilton and Double D hot on their tails. Only Icon sported her spinnaker for the short northerly leg before sheets were hardened in for the fetch down to Sandsend. 

Icon clawed her way to the front and Masquerade led Samaki with Lady H and DD following on. After the short northerly run offshore, Icon headed the fleet to reach back to the Bell Buoy and Masquerade and Samaki jostled for 2^nd place. As they got there, sheets were again hauled in for the beat back to the harbour entrance. Icon extended her lead and Samaki secured her grip on second place. As the boats completed their first lap, the Race Officer gave them a shorter circuit for the remainder of the race. Positions were unchanged and handicaps would not adjust the positions. 

Result: Class A, 1^st Icon, Neil & Lorraine Williamson. Class B, 1^st Samaki, Nigel Robinson, 2^nd Masquerade, David Miller, 3^rd Lady Hamilton, Malcolm & Joanna Stuart