Hamble River Wednesday Night Series - Early Bird Series Race 5
by Lis Robinson 30 Apr 2015 22:25 BST
29 April 2015
A wet weather forecast, big black storm clouds and strong winds failed to deter the Race Officer and crew of the HRSC committee boat last night. Accompanied by only XOD Satu (Andy Hamlett) the committee endured no less than three hail storms to set up shop at Bald Head as the tide began to flood. For quite some time nothing other than a dismasted J sportsboat under tow was seen, then competitors started to appear.
The race officer agonised over the length of the course and in the end settled for a run down to Darling with a cascade to Stormforce Coaching, William, Reach and then Hamble Point to finish. As the first starter got under way the wind freshened and there was concern that the race might be too short. With tide against on the start line the smaller boat and XODs got away with no drama's in the fresh breeze, other than perhaps an over eager practice at the start by XOD Mischief (Wilson, Wilson & Neale) who braved the evening two up.
In an abrupt change, whilst the black clouds refused to shift, the wind switched off and, with the tide incoming, the remainder of the fleet parked up just before the start line with a selection of spinnaker curtains. The widening gap in the fleet reduced the RO to despair and there were various discussions on whether shortening might be required.
Fortunately the wind eventually filled in but backed to a more southerly breeze forcing the fleet to a shy reach and early drop for Darling. Wee Bear (Chudziak, Horner & Malas) suffered spinnaker halyard problems preventing their drop and allowing Midnight Cowboy (Steph Merry) to white sail over them. Forethought of Gosport (Mike James) was another with halyard problems which forced a retirement and slight damage to the crew. Mischief unfortunately mistook Bald Head for Reach and, although first across the line, retired on checking the course. In the end the Folkboat Fritha (Bob Allen) led into Stormforce and retained a good lead at the finish. Similarly Satu took second with Wee Bear in third.
Special thanks must go to Race Officer Mike Dellar for the Early Bird series and Bottle Pursuit as he now disappears to Baltic for a couple of months with his wife and their Sigma 33 and we wish them fair winds. Wednesday night racers are reminded that next week is the start of the Series A. Racing is free for all members of Hamble River Sailing Club with annual membership costing less than many other series entry fees. New members are welcome to come and try out an evening race for free and details of the full activities, training courses and events of the Club are on the Hamble River SC website.