Squib Nationals at Royal Western Yacht Club - Day 5

It is true what they say about sailing in the Squib National Championships, it is like a game of snakes and ladders. With to the quality and depth of skill within the class it is very easy to lose position, and over the duration of a long race, quality always rises to the surface by the end of the race.

Despite a weather forecast indicating 5 to 7 knots, the wind which the Squib sailors experienced today in Plymouth Sound varied from 5 knots to 15 knots.

The racing was sponsored by Batt Sails, which are being used by Chris Hogan in ‘Ricoshea’ the current series leader. Not only do Batt Sails sponsor today’s racing but Dick Batt himself is competing in the event in the first Squib ever built. He finished in a commendable 23rd. place today.

Despite so many experienced sailors in the Squib fleet, Race Five was one of the most difficult races of the week to read tactically. The wind was coming off the high shore on the west entrance to the Sound. This resulted in the wind on the downwind two thirds of the beat to windward being relatively constant. However the area nearest the windward mark was very challenging. The preferred route was to head out on starboard tack as far as the lay line for the windward mark and then to sail a further 100 to 150 meters. By adopting this tactic, one was able to reach into the windward mark at speed. Those who tacked on the layline for the windward mark found themselves being headed by up to 25 degrees without the corresponding lift being available on starboard tack. Some competitors learnt this lesson on the first lap, for others they never found a smart way to negotiate the beats.

Three attempts were made to start the race by Mike Pearson the OOD. At the first start line there appeared to be a substantial bias towards the pin end of the line. The fleet all rushed the line and they were called back with a general recall.

The second attempt had a similar line and a similar outcome.

By the time of the third start, the tide was slacker and the wind had swung around towards the north. Mike Budd in ‘Harry II’ managed to start as the most leeward boat on the starting line, he tacked on the start gun and managed to clear most of the fleet who were on starting on starboard tack. However his joy was not to be long lived.

At the windward mark there were several boats in the lead bunch who were unaccustomed to their elevated position including Derek and Jean Jago in their appropriately named boat ‘Why Not’. Initially Micky Wright and Chris Dunn in ‘Spoof held the lead from Gerrard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall in ‘Alchemy’. They then lost the lead to Chris Goodfellow and Marc Rawinsky in ‘Trophoblast’. Then the lead was taken back by ‘Alchemy’ who took the gun. It was a close race with many opportunities to drop 4 or 5 places, particularly on the downwind legs.

A big competitive fleet like this will always have bunching at the leeward marks, despite their being a gate which offers an alternative rounding mark. Today most boats favoured the starboard seaward leeward mark.

The course selected by Mike Pearson was Course Two, with five beats to windward and four running legs with a narrow gate at the bottom.

Race 5 Results:

1st. ‘Alchemy’, Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall (Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club)
2nd. ‘Spoof’, Micky Wright and Chris Dunn (Royal Corinthian Yacht Club)
3rd. ‘Banshee’, Nigel Harris and John Stephenson (South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club)
4th. ‘Trophoblast’, Chris Goodfellow and Marc Rawinsky (Royal Corinthian Yacht Club)
5th. ‘Baccante VIII’, Andy Browne and Harvey Worden (South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club)
6th. ‘Harry II’ Mike and James Budd (South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club)

In the Silver Fleet Philip Aspinall and Howie Enkel in ‘Guy Falkes’ took the trophy with a 14th. place finish.

It was ‘Mimosa’ sailed by Simon Unwin and Judith Thomas from Royal Dart Yacht Club who won the bronze fleet.

Results after Day 5: (top 9, 5 races, 1 discard)

1st ‘Ricoshea’, 1, 8, 5,1,(13), 15pts
2nd ‘Lady Penelope’, 2, 2, (12), 4, 8, 16pts
3rd ‘Spoof’, (10), 4, 3, 8, 2, 17pts
4th ‘Crossfire’, 7 , 6, 1, 6, (18), 20pts
5rd ‘Nimbus’, 6, (14), 2, 2, 10, 20pts
6th ‘Harry II’, (8),7, 4, 5, 6, 22pts
7th ‘Pani Munta’, 3, 13, 7, 3, (19), 26pts
8th ‘Moonstone’, 5, 1, 15, 17, (26), 38pts
9th ‘Alchemy’, 18, 10, (21), 11, 1, 40pts

With only two points separating the top three boats the real Championship starts tomorrow. The final race of the 61 boat Squib Championship is scheduled to be run tomorrow, weather permitting. The weather forecast is for extremely light winds, which could potentially result in many black flags, many recalls and possibly no race.