Autumn Race Series 7 and 8 – Race Report

What a phenomenal start to the day, all on the front lawn, bacon sarnies courtesy of Jez, April and Sam, thank you very much. Hot coffee and lots of talk about the exciting day’s racing ahead. What’s not to like??

Well, maybe the fact the wind was gusting between 2 and 25 knots, completely offshore and spinning 90 degrees. Today was for sure going to be an interesting days sailing. Capsize was the word that was mentioned many times!

With Sam and Simon on the rescue boat, the course was laid quickly and efficiently in the usual dogleg style we have to when there’s a neap tide, with racing off the pier with a double sausage finishing back in front of the club.

In true fashion, and what’s to be expected of him, two minutes before the start of the first race, the Solo, raced by Oli ,capsized. No one was surprised, this is fairly standard. The race started promptly just after 11 o’clock with the Prindle, sailed by Richard and Pete and the 470 with Jason and Sarah, choosing to start in shore, closely pursued by the Solo and Matty in his laser, starting further out near the distance mark. The wind was still shifting all over the place, which made the first leg to the buoy very tricky indeed. At times you’d be into wind and at other times you’d be on a full bore reach. Matty retired on the first beat as he had not enough outhaul on and it really was testing conditions, but the rescue boat was there to help him as needed and guide him as was required. But it was a great effort by the Bognor Legend. After two laps of the course, the Prindle went over the finish line first, closely behind was the 470, and as always, the Solo followed up the rear!

The hooter sounded for the five minute warning for the second race, just after Jason had dumped Sarah off the windward side of the 470, and once again Oli capsized, two minutes before the start. There’s a theme here 🤣. This time, the Solo was nearest the beach with the 470 and the Prindle out by the distance mark. Looking at the first buoy, including the wind shifts, the Solo actually sailed the better line to the buoy, with both the Prindle and the 470 having to tack twice to enable rounding , and everyone rounded the first mark within a couple of minutes of each other. At this point, the kicker had broken on the Solo and a temporary system was worked out down the first run, whilst the 470 pursued the twins in the Prindle around the course. The Prindle led the whole race again , keen to keep a whole leg ahead of the 470, to gain on its handicap. The 470 had its own problems with the spinnaker pole parallel to the mast at times, and a broken main sheet for most of the second race. On the very last beat, the cunningham on the Solo snapped and after rounding the last buoy towards the finish line, once again, Oli capsized in a huge gust . Exiting the boat in a rear rolly polly style- witnessed first hand by the rescue boat!

Everyone got onto the beach safe and sound and retreated to the bar to discuss today’s racing
As always thanks to Gervase and James in the race office, and Simon and Sam on the rescue boat.

Results

Race 1

1. Jason, Sarah
2. Pete, Richard
3. Oli
4. ⁠Matty DNF

Race 2

1. Pete, Richard
2. Jason, Sarah
3. Oli