RACE REPORT – Races 3 & 4 Saturday, 14th October Andrew Duncan
The medium strength wind was blowing off Palace House, more or less northerly, a little unusual. Funnelling down the river with few trees in the way it was less flukey than when it comes off the sides, but could still behave oddly, especially in gusts, making the wind indicator twitch before it made up its mind, or go round in circles.
It wasn’t difficult for the platform to set a worthwhile course with plenty of beating between the line and the village green buoy A, and again between Carpenter’s Dock mark E and A.
In race one, Henry Nurton helming with his father George as crew, and Karl Liebat with his daughter Annabel as crew got a good start and led at the green, with me behind, Karl quite slippery on the run. I managed to get through him on the inside at E and stayed in second place. No chance of getting at the Nurtons, well ahead. The course was shortened due to lack of wind.
A second race was a good idea as it opened up chances for everyone.
I think the Nurtons were third or fourth over the line. A bunch of boats including Karl, Lizzie and Mary were leading at the first mark, again A, but got screwed by a big wind shift. I was back in 4th or 5th but managed to slip through a few by luck when the wind changed in my favour. At mark E Lizzie was leading but then the Nurton wizards slipped through her. Does anyone think this is a magic boat? You can usually see Jay Devonshire and Martin Sellars manoeuvring but George Nurton and his talented young apprentice at the helm seem to pop up in front from nowhere.
Lizzie now in second place some way back from the magicians and me in third, trying terribly hard to take out Lizzie, but she was solid – a good race for the Sailing Sec. An unusual sight was Victoria sailing solo, looking dangerous at times, Ed having joined the rescue boat with Sam van Holte.
Many thanks as usual to the Platform team – Ginna and Tim and shore crew for making possible a good day in bright sunshine and for a change, (relatively) consistent wind, but with plenty of opportunities to tack on the shifts, gaining yards in seconds. The morning was splendidly rounded off with very welcoming cups of tea and the now famous flapjacks kindly provided by Anna Rostand.
RACE 5 Saturday, 21st October 1500 HT 1604
Starting Platform & Race Office Jay Devonshire
Safety Boat Team Mike Doherty & Keith Hutton
Refreshments Anyone like to put the kettle on?
RACE 6 Saturday, 28th October 1100 HT 1006
Starting Platform Frances Robinson
Race Officer Frank McGinn
Safety Boat Team Rob Rogers & Keith Hutton
Tea Anyone like to pop the kettle on?
Do hope you can come and join us for tea for the last race of the year and celebrate another wonderful year on the river. New members do join us.
SALE LOCKERS at Needs Ore & RFF
We would like to get into the sail locker at the club house and the donkey hut at RFF to tidy and clean them before the weather closes in so please help us by picking up all your belongings as as soon as possible. All boats to be removed by the end of the month. The lost property bin at the Club House overfloweth – kindly check.
AGM 18th November * * * at the earlier time of 1730 * * *
Very much looking forward to seeing you on the river on Saturday.