Sail Chat 12th November 2023

Slate grey skies, light rain, a strong stream and a 4 to 6 mph south easterly was the weather recipe. Tricky problem for race officer Roger and assistant Graham but with four determined sailors Roger set a HE HE course ( well just an H to E but that sums it up). With marks moving and replacements taking place postponements were needed. With great determination though the team set it up. Watchers were confused as all four contestants fought to stay up stream and it looked like they had started. With flags flying and hooters sounding the Merlin with Hywell and Lucy, Enterprise with Ian and hairy Ben, Comets of George and James Peel all swooped down stream at great pace to then idle around the windward mark H and struggle upstream. The Merlin got its spinnaker up and managed to get away but all eventually hugged to Surrey bank and went up at about 1 mph and then down at about 6 with some interesting broadside tacks to the mark. One of James was so enthusiastic he capsized but recovered in a trice. Ian caught the long rope on the large upstream mark and hovered about with the big yellow thing for a while. Great Hampton spirit by the sailors and team all got round and finished.

Time for the class racing was by Claude and Alan, traditional refreshments by Selena and Suzie and bar by various. Well done all for an enjoyable scene for the watchers and some good pics on the whatsap.

Phill as delegated by the Sailing Sec.

Last updated 4:14pm on 13 May 2024