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