Yarmouth to Cowes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrQ1Hik8zhs
Ace tactic

The start for this race was a bit tricky with such a strong tide across the whole line and being able to approach the line on either port or starboard. Not a brilliant start but there or there about with the kite up reasonably quickly and 8 or 9 knots over the ground we settled down to a nice ride. We spent a bit of time trying to get through Chaser's lee but after twenty or so minutes of getting ahead, falling into the wind shadow and dropping back decided to chuck in the big luff and crossed her stern to get clear air. This worked and we slowly pulled ahead and now kept pace with the other Sigma’s slightly ahead, Blazer and the 31.7s. Girolle caused some rapid manoeuvres from Alchemist and one of the Sigma’s which gained us a bit on them. Gybing at NE Gurnard was thankfully uneventful and we all powered away to East Bramble. Rounding the mark we felt in a good position on handicap with the higher rating Sigma’s, the 31.7s and Blazer all close by, Longue Pierre, Domaine and Polly's Kettle seemed long gone.

We followed the majority up the beat to the East of the Bramble bank and with #3 and full main could easily see we were dropping off the pace. Blazer especially had drawn out a good few hundred yards and was eating up to weather like there was no tomorrow. Once at the East side of the bank we tacked and crossed to the Island feeling that from this position it would give the shortest crossing in the strong tide and get us into the Island by the back eddy off the Shrape.  What a surprise as we closed theShrape to find Longue Pierre barely a hundred yards or so in front, Domaine had slipped behind us and we were back in amongst the Sigma’s and neck and neck with Blazer. We seemed to have gained on both those that went early to the Island shore and on those that tacked along the Southern side of the Bramble bank further than we went. Then followed some interesting short tacking outside the moorings, a dive out into the tide to round Snowden and the beat to the finish line keeping in the back eddy. What a delight to finish amongst the Sigma’s, just behind Blazer, in front of the 31.7s and well in sight of Longue Pierre.  We felt we were on for a podium finish as we had not seen Polly's Kettle so didn't know her finish time. Great glee to find out we had another first place, commiserations to Polly's Kettle for beating her by just 4 seconds, roll on the Weymouth race. Andy Pickett  

Report from Hot Rats, Humphreys 30, Class 4

Up early to let the inside boats out who were good enough not to complain about the snoring on Hot Rats over night. Crew not too pretty but no seriously bad hangovers other than Jon –and he doesn’t drink. Good to see everyone taking this racing stuff seriously. Got out to the start line in time to be absolutely clear where it was after a slight panic on the Royal Solent balcony the previous evening when we thought we were looking at the finish line which appeared to be just after where we had dropped the jib the previously day! Less than happy to find the boys have blocked the heads.
Course confirmed as the preset - just what we love – a long downwind leg which is our preference.  All set up for  a port pole spinnaker at the start  and came in nicely other than the leeward cruising boat who arrived just before the start. Had tried politely hailing to advise that he was about to go through the start line along with class 4 but whilst his young lady heard us each time he refused to look at us. More interesting tactic from a J109 coming in from below which consisted of” Oi – get out the way – we are racing” but they were equally unsuccessful. Fortunately I think we all got where we wanted to go without incident or major disruption (including the cruising boat).
Similarly problem with OCS / tide concerns but the rest of the fleet apparently all a bit line shy so not the end of the world being a few seconds late about the  idle of the line. Good hoist but the skipper was less than complimentary although quite vocal about the wine glass we had put up. Quick work from the bowman and trimmer got that sorted and we went steaming off. Sailed through the lee of the windward boats quite satisfactorily and gradually worked past most of the leading boat on one gybe across to a position just off Bealieu. Watched Red Arow gybe out from the North shore onto  starboard  and just sneaked through in front of her with satisfaction on port. Just about caught up with Alaris who then gybed across toward the island shore in the deeper water. Having held slight longer to about 9 m we then gybed across back into the bigger tide and we gybed back onto port about East Lepe. Interestingly we pulled out more on Red Arrow but lost some on Alaris. Clean line to the mark watching the boats behind carefully. Nice gybe at the mark and held for East Bramble. Kept high to hold off the J109s on the principal that what stays up has to come down and we had a conventional kite which they didn’t. Worked enough to get us round the mark in second place with enough room and time to tack where we wanted to rather than where we had to to avoid being overrun. Beat up behind the bank to minimise the adverse tide and passed Bramble post out to West Bramble. Bit the bullet and struck out across the tide for the island and the finish line. Skipper frustrated to see J2eau and With Alacrity coming just off Cowes slightly ahead. A couple of tacks along the Island shore to try to stay out of the worst of the tide and into the finish line.

Sadly pipped at the post from behind by Shades of Blue into 4^th by one second but again a good race and a happy crew. Thanks to Peter and the Royal Solent for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
 
Report from Substitue, Salona 37, Class 3
 

After an excellent evening it was nice being back in Class three enjoying the extra few minutes in bed over those in class 4. Fortified by a good breakfast and with the wind blowing from the West we looked forward to a quick race to the finish.

By keeping out of the general melee that generated its self halfway down the start line we managed to get a clear start ahead of most of the fleet, unfortunately lack of foredeck staff was quickly punished by OMG who had their kite up very quickly after the line and over took us whilst we hoisted in a more leisurely fashion.

The overall picture was looking fair all the way to NE Gurnard and beyond, where we unfortunately were a little ragged on the gybe and lost some ground. At E Bramble we were blanketed by another boat so opted to head for the Island Shore. After weaving our way through a Sun Sail fleet we rounded Snowden and headed in towards the Island to get out of the tide with Exocet, Essex Girl and some other boats. We finally crossed the line at along side Exocet. We were able to get back into Beaulieu in time just to miss the worst of the rain.

Thank you to the race officers for their hard work and to everyone that took part making it a most enjoyable weekend, hopefully see you all in Deauville.

Go Back To Race Reports