Summer Series: Race 3 Race Report by Rupert Scott
RACE REPORT – Race 3 Summer Series By Rupert Scott
We arrived at Needs Ore on Saturday in the early afternoon to find an unusually gentle, warm and humid wind wafting in from a southerly direction. A seal lay sun-bathing on a mooring upstream from the pontoon, with its tail-flippers in the air. There was a small but enthusiastic fleet of 4 scows.
Dr Frank McGinn, on the Starting Platform, was giving lessons in race starting procedure to an attentive Victoria Bonham Carter, the Race Officer. Peter Bettridge, accompanied by his Australian grandchildren, was on shore duty and looked relieved when the safety boat engine started without difficulty. Mary Montagu-Scott and Keith Hutton were the safety crew.
The Race Officer set a course with only three marks – Bay of Pigs, Blackwater and then the finish line some 2 miles upstream at Bucklers Wood (home of John and Carol Hackman who were kindly hosting us for tea).
When the scows put out into the river they quickly discovered that the tide was still running in strongly. With only a light wind, this meant starting as close into the shore and as far out of the tide as possible.
There was some jostling at the start with Braw Lass, 457 (sailed by myself) crossing the line first, but too far out into the tide. Ondine 376 (sailed by Jay Devonshire) and Lazy Scow (Ben Savage) were behind me but much closer to the shore, which proved to be the right strategy. By the time we reached the first mark the order had changed, with Jay Devonshire, masterfully carrying out a series of expert short tacks up the shore, far in front. He was followed by Ben Savage and then myself at least 50m back. Hada 252 (sailed by Simon Gibbs) had gone too far out into the tide, but still managed to reach the first buoy.
The southerly wind conveniently picked up at this point and wafted all boats (still also assisted by the tide) northwards towards Bucklers Wood.
Ben Savage now broke with convention by flying a spinnaker. Could this be the first time this has ever been done in a BRSC race! This spinnaker has a colour and design that matches the his Friesian-themed scow and was much admired by many people sun-bathing on moored boats as we sailed up the river. But it appeared to do little for his speed, as by the time we reached the bend at Mallards I had caught up with him. Jay Devonshire had been becalmed at one point and had also fallen back. In the end it was a close finish with Jay over the line first, followed by myself and then Ben Savage. A very short time later Simon Gibbs appeared, being helpfully instructed by Mary Montagu-Scott from the safety boat.
At Bucklers Wood boat house we arrived to find the usual delicious tea, with lovely home made cakes, plates of sandwiches, sausages and much else. Several non-sailors had come for tea. Victoria made a short but charming speech thanking our hosts and congratulating them on their recent Golden Wedding anniversary. She then presented Carol Hackman with a beautiful arrangement of flowers.
John Hackman predicted a difficult sail back into the wind to Needs Ore, and he turned out to be right. The return journey required constant tacking into a falling wind. By the time we reached Needs Ore a light rain had begun to fall and the seal had slipped off its mooring. And so ended another enchanted day in the calendar of the BRSC.
RACE 4 * The Gravelly Race * Sunday, 16th July 10.30 HT 11.04
Due to predicted high winds this race may be cancelled. Racing may be in the river instead. Keep an eye on the website for updates.
STARTING PLATFORM Ginna Gaynor
RACE OFFICER Oliver Stanley
SAFETY BOAT TEAM 1 Rupert Scott & Jamie Abdy Collins
SAFETY BOAT TEAM 2 Gerard Downes & Lizzie Anders
REFRESHMENTS Kindly hosted by Rupert & Mary Montagu-Scott RSVP!! mary.montaguscott@gravelly.com
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Race 5: Tea Duty
Safety boat teams and shore help needed for the REGATTA