Sail Chat 17th August

Really nice breeze blowing from the east with just a faint touch of north in it, the sun sparkled on the river and super sailing was the result. Hywel and James Warren were race officers and noting the north bit of breeze and ripple, controversially set a gybe mark at C, just up the channel on the north side of Platts Eyot and an I mark off Garricks. We had the Comets of David, Tim, James and Peter with Sarah Peacock crewing and the lone Enterprise of me with Paul. The Ent had the best start but went too low for the windward mark and on a new wind all the Comets easily went round the mark before it. The run up was frisky at times with the full 14 mph blowing so all the Comets got to C first, the rounding was not helped by a paddle board making a determined effort to hold its course, squashing the room to turn. I think three of the Comets got round, then the Ent and James, there was an incident and David might have bailed because I noticed his jib was furled and facing upstream. The room to get round and get the main in then come up took one rather close to a rather large barge moored on the island. It was a most enjoyable windward/leeward course lasting just the hour.

In the afternoon even more Comets came to the party those above were joined by George/Chris, Philip Dalby and Richard Page, seven out terrific show. Three GP's, Trevor/Susan, John/Colin and Derek with Mary (quite frisky for you Mary). Two Ents Ian with Sarah and me with Paul. Elise sailed her Aero on the long course and performed well, she does need to find voice though to call her rights. Just the lone Merlin, spinnaker out with Stu and Nicola. Still much about the same wind but some calmer patches just up river of the rope swing. The C mark had been diplomatically moved to a D and there was also a B mark for some including the Aero. Again very special sailing and a 'cool' (now an official word) day.

Essential staff were Timekeepers Ali and Susie, Jane, Jade and Alex Catering and Bar James. After a special day the Commodore congratulated Philip, Sammy and Charlie for winning the Handicap class in Salcombe, James Warren for speed sailing in a Rater at Salcombe and Stu for participating in the Merlin Nationals in Looe.

Next week the Long Distance Race on Sunday.

Phill

Last updated 8:04pm on 20 August 2025