Sail Chat - Sunbury Rally and 12.05.2024
Saturday was the Sunbury Rally, which now means a trip up to Cooper Castle. Our wind was as perfect as it gets for this or any other sail on the Thames. From the east we had a frisky 12 to 14 mph breeze. Derek and Alan, our racing team, put in a short down river beat to off the Church Lawn and then it was a joy ride before the wind nearly all the way. First off were the two GP's, John with Sue and Alex with Jade (two prospective new members) in a club boat, in Comets were Philip Dalby with Sammy, Charlie and Elvin, David Gettings with Angela and James Peel in his, and one Enterprise me with Susan (remembering Keith's annual outings on this event). The two Merlin Rockets sailed by brothers John and Rob, crewed by Nicola and Jo, followed later and I did not see them until the finish but spinnakers were flown in both. The beat was demanding and I spilt lots of wind, the GP with Jade and Alex were caught out with a Hampton gust and capsized. The rest of us pretty much got round the mark together, after a bit of gybing the front runners were Sammy, Charlie, Elvin and Philip, Me and Susan, John and Sue and James. There was still some stream so the cut slowed us all down and the GP dropped back a bit. The rest of the race until the castle was in sight the Ent and Comet stayed together, pleasantries were exchanged and Elvin was seen helming much of the time.
The finish was somewhat surprising as the turning mark in the safety boat had to be placed and there followed a chase first by the safety boat to catch the first boat and then by the first boat to chase the safety boat to catch the mark. All good humoured, all finished safely including the persistent Alex and Jade (well done). The three paddlers Amelia, Colin and Lucy survived but Amelia was dismounted by a large motor cruiser with a larger wake.
A very generous tea on the lawn followed which included hot dogs and rebellion beer. A real treat of a sail and a wonderful day all round. Thanks Nigel and Ellen.
Sunday was much more pedestrian with a lighter breeze which had shifted to more of a south easterly and had tendency to die. David as race officer set a down river mark for the beat/fetch and an up river near the outflow. There was a good show of GP's Derek/Mary, John/Paul the Dutchman, Keven/Maddy and George/Chris. They had a good race with the arbiter being the run after the first turning mark, the breeze was fickle at times and required much application. The Comets were James Peel, James Bay, Nigel in a Solo and Elise in her Topper. Just one Enterprise Jane with Ellen. Elise was also the winner of the first of the youth series!
Super Tea from Fiona and Lucy.
Phill
Last updated 4:08pm on 13 October 2024