Mid Summer 2008 blog

Race 1 - Not sailed

Race 2 - No racing

Race 3 - After a seven week break in series sailing, it should have been obvious that it was going to be a peculiar day when OD Terry Vincent found himself piloting the safety boat that was stuck in reverse. The weather was also deceptive, threatening showers and seemingly good winds. Thankful the showers held off, but the wind was far more fickle. Northerlies, variable to both to the East and West, with the occasion gusty squalls and plenty of eddies coming off the trees and bank, with the addition of a healthy stream and occasionally busy river, it was going to be another demanding day for both helm and crew, and certainly a test for Alan Diver for a first time helming an Enterprise. The first lap started slowly, until Peter Threadgill, crewed by Ann, picked up the wind on the Middlesex side and kept it to shoot him ahead upstream to the first mark. That lead was lost after hitting the downstream mark and having to take a penalty that left him drifting further downstream. Alan, helming the Enterprise more in the style of his usual British Moth, with Dennis Miles as crew, took full advantage and managed to wizard up the wind to shoot him into the lead along the Middlesex bank. Peter, recovered and eventually overhauled Alan, who came unstuck on the second downstream mark and was also passed by Richard Hancock who made good use of the wind to sling shot round the mark. Richard Hancock, with Jason as crew, made good progress from there, but not enough to to catch Peter, who eventual won the race.

Race 4 - Strange day was how the Commodore summed it up. The forecast had sailors expecting a possible drenching with strong winds from the South, the outlook before the race was a certain soaking from heavy showers and little wind, the reality was completely dry, as the rain held-off and a teasing wind came, went and shifted throughout the race. The race started with the stream, that was running surprisingly fast and sped-up, helped with the amount of river traffic. Kevin and Ann got of to a fine start, along with Phil and Sarah, Allan and Dennis were not far behind, however the start from Richard and Jason was not so good with the conditions not suiting them and they were unable to make up the early deficit as the other three Enterprises went ahead running neck and neck vying for position. As the race progressed Kevin was able to draw a lead over Phil, until his penultimate lap when lapping Richard on the downstream mark he collided with him, Kevin having to take a 720 penalty allowed Phil to regain the lead and with Alan catching some wind on the run, meant that the race was on to the finish. In the end 77 seconds separated the first three boats, with Alan and Dennis in third, Phil and Sarah in second with Kevin and Ann taking the laurels.

Race 5 - A gusty SW breeze lead to some excellent sailing with 3 boats taking to the water.  Phil and Sarah in the club Enterprise, Alan, Mick and Richard in the club Wayfarer and Kevin sailing Peter's Laser.  The combined age of the Wayfarer helm and crew was in excess of 240 years the same age as the sails on the boat.  Given the gusty condition surprising nobody got wet both Kevin and Phil came close on couple of occasions however Sarah was determined not to get wet rescuing the situation for Phil while Kevin just leaned out further.  Kevin made up for a poor start by leading the race from the first mark and finishing some 5 minutes ahead of the rest of the fleet.  As can be seen from the pictures below a great but tiring time was had by all.