Race Report - Sunday 6 July

This week's report comes from Stephen Dirou on board Defender. Racing was by Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, under Rosy Jones and Laurie Tennant.

Racing was abandoned on Saturday 5th July with Race Control (CCYC) very concerned about the front coming through given there was already a higher gradient wind than predicted at 930am when N over A was displayed. This meant two races were to be expected on Sunday, with boats competing for the CCYC Daring Trophy (weekend winner) and also the Dabchick Cup (across 3 weekends in July).

Race 1

Sunday's conditions were close to perfect with steady wind from the west and neap tides. Boats were starting off the RORC line heading west and race one saw five boats competing. Defender made the decision to start close to the shoreline believing there was some distance advantage, whilst Doublet, Dreamer, Darling, and Diamond all started closer to the ODM (Snowden). The upwind leg was to East Lepe with boats tacking through the mooring buoys and it was Doublet who rounded the mark first, followed by Dreamer then Defender. The gybe set for spinnaker hoist saw Doublet a little slow to get their kite flying which opened the door for Dreamer and Defender to make up ground on the downwind leg to 4K (Royal London). From there it was a beat back to the finish and Dreamer, having made up plenty of ground, saw their lead disappear with their jib appearing to fail, possibly an issue with the halyard, and they limped home to finish 4th. Defender benefited from a fast downwind leg, pointed well by helm Chris Torrens, did not need to gybe and they were able to finish in first place, eight seconds ahead of Doublet who finished just one second ahead of Darling in 3rd.

Dreamer leading downwind (before halyard trouble!) Photo by Rick White.

Race 2

It was a quick turnaround for the start of the second race, which appeared to catch both Darling and Diamond off guard as they were both late across the start line. With Dreamer forced to retire with their parted halyard, it was Doublet and Defender leading the fleet to the first mark upwind (Polly’s Challenge off Gurnard). Doublet was first to turn and led for the majority of the downwind leg but appeared to make a course error with the fleet needing to pass Prince Consort to starboard and Defender took full advantage ending the downwind leg to Royal London ahead of Darling and Doublet and that’s how they finished with Diamond in fourth.

Defender, with two wins from two races

Many thanks to the Race Committee from the CCYC for both an excellent early call on Saturday to abandon and then provide two great courses for racing on the Sunday.

Ed: I'm remiss in not reporting on Doublet's strong results in last weekend's Cowes Keelboat Championships, when we had the pleasure of coach Duncan Truswell's support.