01 April 2007
Spring 123
Richard and Alex. 'Now that is just showing off'! but only
if (a) It was intentional, and (b) Did not result in a capsize! However I
can confirm that 'swimming' was involved for this team during the day.
Sunday 01 Apr 07.
It was All Fools Day and the first course paid homage to the occasion with a less than conventional start. The course was laid in a sausage format to exploit the early depth in the channel, but not in the usual upwind downwind configuration. An intriguing reaching start running with the incoming tide and all marks to Port precipitiated some perplexed expressions and comments of "What"?... from the participants. The sky was blue and a gentle breeze from the North East coaxed 15 boats out to compete in 4 fleets for the 1st official race of the DSC season.
The second course was laid as a more traditional sausage/triangle and upwind starts with separate fleet starts. The wind had notched up a force to a 3 with tricky gusts for the 3rd and final race. The Race Team grouped all the fleets together with a short start line to encourage a 'he who dares' atmosphere. Despite a blatant Port bias the fleet chose a Starboard approach with only one young helm brave enough the invoke a Port Flier! Puerile shouts of "Starboard" from a gaggle of outsmarted helms failed to intimidate the young buck as he effectively sailed the Feva clear ahead! From the committee boat it was evident that the level of competition across the fleets will be of the order 'no quarter asked' for 2007 because you can be sure 'no quarter will be given'.. Age, experience and expensive hardware will be no defense against the clubs rising stars. It would seam for today at least it was the 'Fools' that stayed at home and missed some excellent conditions and racing.
Welcome to Ian Kirk with his F18 and a welcome to a new Phantom sailed expertly by a new member , and another new Phantom sailed....well 'sailed' anyway by our very own Ian McLean. Apparently it was the extra water in the old boat that made it faster (the act of bailing adding significantly to 'Rasberry Blower's' velocity). The Dart 18 fleet getting some practice for the Dart Open next week at DSC. The race officer duty offers a chance for regular sailing helms to see races from the other side and makes an enjoyable experience. Richard Stacey and Alex Harris winning their first race of the season and looking very fast downwind on the Spitfire. Congratulations on a new boat for Graeme Maxwell and Nigel Sedgewick who lead the fleet on several occasions snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in race 2 on Animal. Thanks to the assistant race officer Kate for the photographs and the help.
Mark Emptage
Tell us what you think - your comments, contributions and photos are very welcome.