Captains Log

I hope you have enjoyed this seasons racing so far as much as I have! After a shaky start with the Easter Cherbourg postponement we have had some fantastic races, both inshore and offshore, with an excellent turn out in all three classes.

With Easter being so early it was always going to be risky and so it did not come as too much of a surprise when the race was postponed. I think it is worth noting that the Race Officers thought long and hard before issuing the postponement. The clincher for me was when we sought professional advice regarding the weather and were advised the wind chill on the Friday would be around -9 degrees Centigrade with gales - that's very cold!

The postponement did cause other issues too, inasmuch as we still needed to run the race because some competitors needed the miles to qualify for entry into the Illingworth Challenge. I apologise for the disruption to the racing calendar caused by changing St Vaast to accommodate a new date for Cherbourg. Looking at the Cherbourg entries, however, shows it was the right thing to do!

The inshore races so far have seen mixed conditions (don't they always?). Nab was a blustery, wet day. The hailstones hurt and it's been a while since I have seen a JOG competitor laid flat by a nasty gust as they beat toward the finish.

Hayling Bay was an excellent course and lovely weather. Equally, Yarmouth was fantastic; particularly the foul tide beat round Hurst toward the finish. It was exciting racing in very tight conditions and I am pleased to say that all the Competitors can congratulate themselves not only on their seamanship skills in the race but also their gentlemanly and sympathetic behaviour toward their fellow competitor - very JOG like.

It's fair to say that Peter Chartres and his Race Officers, who set the courses for our races, have had a few sleepless nights regarding the weather and the choice of courses. Their concern is what gives us such excellent racing and they are to be congratulated for the racing they have given us so far this season.

The subject of "use of engines" has come up a few times this season and there is some possible confusion between RRS Rule 42, Propulsion and JOG General Condition 14. In simple terms, if the engine is used as a means of propulsion whilst racing the boat will have to retire or may be disqualified. Obviously there are exceptions. General Condition 14 (a) specifically refers to 'grave emergency'. If you are in the path of a large ship and there is no wind you put the engine on having marked your position on the GPS/Chart and return to that position when the ship has passed 'gaining no advantage' Competitors should then report this on their Declaration Form with as much detail as possible.

Equally, the racing rules talk of giving boats "room to manoeuvre". This "room" is subjective and based on a number of factors such as type of boat, its manoeuvrability, the sea state and weather conditions at the time etc. So it can be a different amount of room even for the same two boats in different conditions.

The JOG fleet do behave extremely well and competitors take into account that "room to manoeuvre" is variable and dependant on conditions. What is not generally known is that we do have competitors in all three classes that race double handed. These boats will generally need more "room to manoeuvre" than fully crewed boats - please bear this in mind.

Finally - The Illingworth Challenge to La Trinite has taken on a life of its own. Not only do we now have over 35 entries across three classes but we have secured an excellent title sponsor with Cognos.

Cognos are an IBM Company and are World leaders in business intelligence, planning and performance management systems. Not only will Cognos be supporting the JOG race and its Competitors but they will be working closely with Marine Track to provide Competitors and their followers a web site to track the progress of the boats. Information to the site will be updated regularly and provide up to the minute details of the race.

Exciting times ahead and I am looking forward to seeing you on the racecourse and at the destination "watering holes"

Paul Harding
Captain