SPRING SERIES 2007

Update May 13th
Saturday was blown off and Sunday was not much better, and in fact, possibly worse!
Eight stalwarts (???????) set out in an easterly wind which gradually, during the race, wound round to the south, gusting over 30 knots and with thunder and lightening etc Nick was heard to say after the race that he was worried that he might sink if the wind dropped and the bailers did not cope with the amount of rain coming aboard! The Open Meeting boats also had to be ‘contended’ with as it was obviously not suitable for them to be outside and the course seemed to go somewhat through their start line. Another obstacle was a huge gin palace crashing out up by Thorney,  needing the whole harbour to itself  and taking no notice of a fleet of small boats fetching across to Ellanore.
Met another prospective lady soloist at the new members party - she sounds like SOME competition
This ‘blog’ will now go off-air for 2 weeks

Update May 6th - Pennant Series 2 and Gerald Bell Memorial Trophy
Saturday and we had a long postponement while we watched the wind go through from N to E to S and back again and then settle in the W but still very light. Fortunately, just before our start the wind came in from the SW a bit more briskly, although this did rather mess up the triangle sausage course! 26 boats on the water and Tony had it all his own way for the first race although there was lots of place swapping and very tight racing all down the fleet. Jo was out for the first time and was pleased to finish her first race - and not in last position either! Quite a few less stalwart members decided they did not want to hang around for the second race - we only had one CB so it was a long sequence -which was won by Pirate George.
 The Punch party was also a bit delayed but was attended by about 25 bodies who enjoyed their Pimms and some very nutritious nibbles provided by Nick.
Sunday, and Barry managed to persuade everybody that the F6 was not due till much later. Still a fairly frisky SW which caused a few mishaps early in the season, Steph being the first casualty before the start. On the first beat James lost his mainsheet and David Mosely his toe straps, both capsizing to windward, and Jerry Hack failed spectacularly to gybe round Channel. (David’s boat was later found in the park minus mast but he was not available for comment) The leaders all overstood the first mark having underestimated the lee bow effect and on the second beat, Barry came right up through the fleet but then aimed at the wrong mark! Although Tony won this race, the overall result hinged on the last race. Nick, however, lead from the start to win it and with a second and fourth to count, won the Second Pennant and the Gerald Bell Trophy with Tony second and George third. Perusing the results, one notes that Jo came 5th in the race on Sunday - think it was actually husband Nathan who did do rather well for his first outing.
Steph came home to find another boat in her slot, a newcomer that nobody knew about and who had not been told what was what in the Solo fleet! He is one Doug Frost and Ted has already captured his mug.
Peter Hickson was watching the fleet over the weekend and thinks a Solo would be more fun that his Elite. Anyone got one for a quick sale?

Update April 29th
Saturday and the strong Easterly wind transferred to a brisk sea breeze by the start. Tim won this one.
Sunday, the Easterly died and contrary to forecast was not replaced by a decent sea breeze. In fact the wind died to 2 knots and a third of the fleet did not make it to the finishing line somewhere up by Copyhold. In fact, several boats had to be towed back from the ebb. It is possible that Chris Powles crossed the line first but in the drifting confusion, it is possible that he didn’t!

Update April 22nd
Saturday, lovely day with nice little wind from SE. Course set from Mill Rythe, round an inflatable near Freddie Brooks, to East Head and Astra and back round SW Pilsey twice. Rather a lot of rafting up round the first two and then the last buoy and Peter Best actually managed to anchor himself to the first mark which caused considerable maneuverings! Nick got away and stayed in front with Tony in second place and a somewhat acrimonious battle for the next places allowing Ken to get through to 3rd at the last mark!
Sunday, rather hotter and with a lighter wind more from the South making the visitors buoy the best place for the first mark. Then Gardener, SW Pilsey and Mill Rythe twice round again with several competitors doing the usual and missing the gate!. Chris Powell led all the way with Nick only managing 2nd and Ken next. The flood induced the fleet to try short-tacking up the Mengham shore so there were assorted demonstrations of line sailing - hit the bottom - ( in the case of James Gaskell, rather hard and in a muddle - he actually capsized!) tack onto starboard and systematically put about 4-5 other boats. Quite interesting to watch from a position rather near the back. In fact, there was more wind on the Thorney shore and to start with the tide did not make much difference.
Numbers were reduced to 16 this weekend - from the 25 we had out for the Pennant series the previous week. Is there any reason for this? Too much Sand etc etc. Anything else? Barry would like to know.
Ruth has bought her Solo and hopes to sail Thursdays at least. Jo was out practicing and there is a rumour that another lady Laser sailor has bought Dave Allen’s old boat and that he has acquired a newer model

Update April 15th
Saturday, about 15-16 boats went out for a float-about in the mild sea breeze that eventually drifted in. A course was set starting at NW Pilsey - going round the nearby cans in the channel, due to lack of water, and finishing on the Club line. Tim led all the way followed by Cliff in second place - provided he was not over the line - with Rob E, Roy and Ken battling for the next three places - Rob ending up third.
Sunday , the racing was cancelled at 13.00 hrs and a lovely sea breeze came in an hour later which may or may not have have enabled boats to sail against the ebb!
 

Update April 9th
The Friday Sweepstake was a bit of a Solo bonus because of the calm conditions. Ted Gadd came second with John Rees collecting the first prize of loads o’ money - to go with the loads o’ money he has sold his boat for - to Jo Rushin. Jo has sailed regularly in a Laser but wanted a few more boats to sail against. This she will have! There were 25 Solos out for the First Pennant Series with lots of close racing all through the fleet each day - lots of peep, peep, peeps all at once on the finishing lines!
Saturday, and the sea breeze came in rather fitfully - one minute you were alongside someone and the next there was half a leg between - sort of conditions. A  ‘B’ shaped course around Sandy involved a very long beat against the tide up the Mengham shore.
Sunday involved a delay of an hour, so spades where found and the west ramp cleared. Some road roll was laid in the gateway where the sand was very deep again, which seems to be satisfactory for the moment.
The sea breeze came in and eventually rose to about 12 knots, and chilly, halfway through the first race. As the tide was now ripping, Freddie Brooks was inserted instead of Sandy for the second race - both races this day being triangle plus sausage.
Tim was the winner of this first series with 2 firsts, a third and a disaster. Tony was second with a first and 2 seconds, and Nick third with a first, second and third to count. The fleet was all very close and apparently a joy to be seen from the shore.
As we had 25 boats out, a fourth prize was allocated and this went to Chris Powles who was up there in all the races. It was, however, noted that there were 5 entrants for the Slow Handicap and they had places to third which involved 6 prizes and the five Elites also had places to third, involving - 9 bottles of wine! Do we note a slight discrepancy here? Perhaps we should  have had places to 15th!
The RNLI race on Sunday had two Solos in the prizes, Tony and Bill Ingram - Ted just missed out. Apparently the sea breeze did not fill in so well and there were a few uncalled for choppy bits in the water.
Also out, practicing in Sarah’s boat, was Clare Mogridge, a 4000 sailor. She is intending to do a bit of light weather sailing whilst Ian (Sarah’s other half) may take the boat out in the heavy stuff, to effect as we have already seen, providing he is not off 14-ing somewhere.

Update April 1st,
Saturday and everyone was on tenderhooks in case Steph turned up again all ready to go. Fortunately , ‘N’ was hoisted so there were great sighs of relief
Sunday and still blowing 5-6 from the NE, with some very rough water. 5 went out with John Rees taking the honours from Nick.
 We were glad to see Paul Brewer and Elizabeth down at the Club on Saturday. Paul is walking again, albeit with a stick, but unhappily he has been banned from his Solo for an unspecified time.
Meanwhile, Mrs Jo Rushin, who normally sails a Laser, is looking for a plastic Solo of not too great an age. If anyone is thinking of upgrading, or hears of one, let Barry know.

March 24th and the Spring Series started with a standard 30 knots from the North. A few people were dithering until Steph was spotted all geared up and ready to go! Frantic rush by three others and Tony didn’t make it in time  - couldn’t get his sail rigged, so turned out late with Plan B.  Rob Eastwood fell in rounding one mark leaving Steph and Barry to battle the run to the Club Line Finish. Barry went inshore to get the most of the start of the ebb. Steph stayed in the rough in the middle and with more wind and no nerves just zoomed past Barry. She said, ‘It was a bit lumpy - but not as bad at Felpham!’
Sunday - a little less wind and 9 Solos turned out. Chris Powles, unhappily, left most of his gear at home, but he managed to glean sufficient clothing from kind friends to get himself on the water!