Race Report - Final Weekend

This weekend's race report comes from Doublet, courtesy of Emma Barry and Charlie Shepherd

The final weekend’s racing of a fabulous season had arrived with the magnificent Stug Perry trophy still up for grabs. After the previous weekend’s racing, at least 4 boats were in the hunt, Dreamer, Streak, Destroyer and Doublet.

Saturday 27 September 

Saturday’s wind speed was almost perfect and with reasonably flat water. However, the wind from the south meant an inevitable reaching start and the ISC race officer sent us east with the tide to the Royal London. Then northwards downwind to Ben F Wood and a further 3 legs of windward/leeward before a starboard turn round North Ryde Middle and home.

In the first race Destroyer and Doublet started together and were quick off the line (albeit Destroyer sadly OCS). Derring-Do and Dreamer were in close attendance. The wind held and two good beats and two downwind legs made for a competitive race. Doublet rounded the final mark slightly ahead. While sailing closer-in might have reduced adverse tide, such a plan risked wind shadow from the point and all boats opted for a straight line to the finish.  Doublet managed to hold the lead on the reach to the finish and the final results gave Derring-Do 2^nd and Dreamer 3^rd place.

The second race was very similar, but with the first downwind being more challenging, dead downwind to Royal Thames in a lighter breeze. This also meant the first upwind was more one-sided and so the race was slightly more processional. The finish order this time being Doublet, followed by Dreamer and then Derring-Do.

In both races, getting a good clean start, keeping handling errors to a minimum, keeping clear air and judging the tide and the lay lines all contributed to best performances.

Sunday 28 September 

Sunday dawned wet and with the expected faintest of breezes. A start was marginal but happily attempted as the rain at least was easing. There was just enough wind to make way eastwards, this time to Island Sailing Club. With the trophy still at stake, Doublet needed to keep at least close to both Dreamer and Destroyer but scuppered her chances with an OCS and having to turn back.

All boats made slow progress to the mark and then turned north downwind. The lead boats were taken eastwards on the tide, so that those following tried to sail a higher line. In such light winds this sort of racing can naturally become a bit of a lottery, where the first can be last and the last potentially shall be first!

Spice was added with several boats being forced to gybe westward to avoid a turning container ship in the channel and, in Doublet’s case, at the firm instruction of the Pilot boat! With puffs now coming from the East, all were creeping towards the mark and seemingly coming together. With tide building, and no consistent breeze forecast for hours, the sensible decision was taken to abandon the race in preference to lunch.

Dying of the Light Lunch

The class then came together at RORC for the traditional end-of-season lunch. Nothing was more welcome than a roast and all the trimmings as the light starts to fade!

Many thanks are due to those that towed us all home, to the ISC race officers for organising and to RORC for hosting a splendid Sunday roast lunch. A great weekend, rounding off our season so well.