Musto Skiff Open at Datchet Water Sailing Club

Musto Skiffs at Datchet © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Musto Skiffs at Datchet © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Musto Skiffs at Datchet © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

A fleet of 16 Mustos along with the B14 fleet gathered at Datchet for what looked to be a promising weekend of racing with boats from Derwent, Branbury, Switzerland and Thorpe Bay joining the ever increasing group based on the reservoir. Unfortunately that was not to be as the wind forecast was to play a key part in the weekend's events.

Saturday, the racers were greeted with a gusty and shift 1-3 knots forcing the race officer to postpone the race start (1pm) hoping the promised forecast of 4–8 knots would establish itself later on. Unfortunately that was not to be as the wind just seemed to die off gradually leading to the races being cancelled for the day at 3pm. Surprisingly at 4pm the wind increased slightly to huge 4 knots and the remaining competitors jumped at the chance to go for a quick sail. Led by Ben, 9 boats hit the water for some short sharp one lap practice races.

The wind on Sunday morning was looking more promising with 5-10 knots forecast but as the competitors gathered for a 9:55 start this was looking less and less likely to establish itself. All the boats hit the water with optimism, hoisted the kites and headed off to the far side of the reservoir hoping to get some racing in for the weekend's efforts. The first race was postponed for half an hour as we waited for some sort of wind to make and appearance. Luckily a shifty 3 knots established itself and the racing commenced. Unsurprisingly the races were determined by unpredictability of the gusts, the magnitude that they would come in at, and what area of the racecourse they would effect. Experience and a little bit of luck played its part as you picked a side hoping there would be a puff of wind that would stay around long enough to lift you to the top mark. Race 1 line honours went to Nicolas closely followed by Ben in 2nd and Paul in 3rd.

Race 2 was a sailed in much the same manner with irregular puffs appearing across the course. The lead changed several times within the first lap until the wind completely shut off on the second beat leading to the majority of the competitors hugging the mast to keep the boat upright. Ben Schooling managed to round the top mark leaving the rest of the fleet to bunch up and inch their way across the developing millpond. Race 2 Line honours went to Ben Schooling followed much later by Andrew Stickland and Harry Wilson.

The two fleets stayed out on the water as racing was postponed, hoping for some sort of breeze to build, but unfortunately that was not to be therefore concluding the weekend's events.

Many thanks again to Datchet Water Sailing Club for hosting the event and somehow managing to squeeze some racing in to the weekend. Next event in the calendar is the Derwent Open in a week's time.

Overall Results: