Sail Chat - 18th August

Sparkling day and not too hot with an interesting westerly mixed with a bit of north at 10 to 12 mph. Some interesting puffs which came at inopportune moments for some young crew. Race Officers John Hollands and Commodore set a mark reasonably up river and one off the Church Land. Sailors were Elise Topper (very consistent our Elise) Island Pete, David, Tim and George Comets, Alex and Jade club GP ( second race and improving all the time) and me with Sarah. Quite a technical breeze as the bit of north, at times, behaved badly. George was off to a flyer at the start and held off the bigger sails for much of the race. The badly was a sudden drop to nothing on the second lap and a massive gust off the Church Land which backed and then fiercely veered. This nearly unseated one helm but the GP knows about this area now and remained steadily on course. Most of the race though was ideal HSC conditions. Time was by Nicola and Ali.
In the afternoon lots of GP's came to the party with Derek and Mary, George and Chris, Trevor and Sue, Emily and Rob and Kevin with Maddie. Kevin was slightly late for the start having winged his arrival time, he was seen to be doing turns on the first lap but the foam laden Red Rampage still managed to get through. Livvy was in charge with Dad and John Heath was out with the Dutchess in the Merlins. Very good Handicap Fleet with two Lasers, a first for a long time, Roger and Harry (well done Harry you avoided everyone, no doubt never holding to your rights) Comets well represented by David, Tim/Claude and Pete. Sadly just one Ent me with Jane. Lovely sail with more wind than the morning and it had shifted slightly more to the west, giving a tight run, spinny and pole out, on the starboard tack to the marks down river. Don't always give winners but the delight of Roger on getting his second first in succession - well a new lease or what! Part of sailing at HSC is the variety of craft one has to negotiate and the amount of exhaust they chuck out! One particular squadron came through with their usual determination to stand on no matter what! After years of anxiety I now try and tack off. Some good pics of the fleets by Fiona and Ian on whatsap. Encouraging to see James out in a Comet with the tiny two, Delilah and Elodie. The latter joined the swimming party, after racing, with Livvy, John in boots and me.
Super tea by Ellen, Dr Annabel and Dorothy Heath. Bar by various.
Phill
Last updated 2:46pm on 21 January 2025