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.