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