Man of Kent 2015 at Downs Sailing Club

Peter Noble wins the Man of Kent 2015 © Julia Freeland

Toby Freeland wins the youth trophy in the Man of Kent 2015 © Julia Freeland

Downs Sailing Club hosted the 2015 Man of Kent (Kent clubs Championship) on the SE Kent coast. Would it be a day of ice creams and fish and chips or a day of great racing.

The initial forecast for the day was for high winds, then on Thursday, it all changed and was to be light and shifty. Well on this occasion they initially got it right. However, as they say, it is not over till the fat lady sings. So R/O Roger Philips sent Martin Styles and the team afloat, whilst the R/O stayed ashore with us and kept an eye on the live forecasts. After an hour, it was mission launch. For those of you who have never been to this shoreline, they do not use trolleys due to the shingle, but sleds, yes sleds. All great fun as long as you have help, which there was aplenty. So with a depleted fleet due to forecast and the Round the Island race, the fleet launched in an orderly fashion with no issues for boat or person.

The first race was upwind/downwind, 2nd triangle and 3rd trapezoid.

So the breeze clicked in on queue and we had a SW force 3 increasing to force 4 with up to 0.7 m. occasional waves and sun. The visitors were in heaven. The racing got off first time with the flood against the start line. It became very apparent, would it be the Contenders or Merlin Rockets who prevailed. The Merlins went high and the Contenders footed. However, the tide helped the Merlins eat in to the Contenders on the beats. Merlin 3763, caught a floating warp off a pot half way up the beat, stopping to untangle and rejoin at the back of the Merlins/Contenders, whilst Contenders 691 and 2376 charged away. Throughout the 3 lap race, it was close with many place changes within fleets and groups. The Boats going below the radar were the lone RS400 755 and 2 RS200s. As the finish was so tight, nobody really had an idea of who had done well, but RS400 755 won on the water followed by Contender 691.

Race 2 and triangles with a changing tide. Would the 3 sail reaches bring the Asymmetric boats to the fore. Away under black flag, Merlin 3763 port ended the fleet, but alas was caught by Merlin 3772 and Contender 2599 after clearing most of the fleet. A race of real nip and tuck with the 3 Merlins rarely more than 10 boat lengths apart, with contenders in the mix. In the background were the 2 RS200s chasing the pickings like 2 birds of prey awaiting their chance. However, it was the front 2 Merlins 3772 and 3673 having a right ding dong on the last 2 legs that led to a lead change as 3763 ran out of rake control, hounded by 3772 to windward, both hiking like a badgers, 3772 took control, taking the win by the 4 boat lengths from Merlin 3763, followed by Contender 691.

Now the wind gods played havoc and the fleet had some respite for 1 hour as the wind did its thing. Good news was the wind returned from the SW. Bad news was a strong ebb tide brought about a abandonment under black flag. Then they were off with all chomping at the bit. First round was Merlin 3763 followed by a gaggle of contenders, Merlins and RS200s. Alas the pole popped and kite went up, and then operator error (don't let helms near the spiro lines), the spire was wrenched off the mast. From there on they flew the poles off the lowers. Now 3772 took up the charge with 3672 in hot pursuit followed by the predatory Contenders, Phantom and RS200s. Over the race Merlin 3672 got the better and held out to the finish by a few seconds from Merlin 3772 and the Contenders. Following up was the ever present Phantom, who was to have his best race. The first 7 boats were separated by 45 seconds on corrected time after a 46 minute race.

Heading to shore where we were greeted by the sleds, winch and organized shore team, we winched the boats to the dinghy park. Beats trolleys any day of the week.

After a very well run event with slick race management and many club helpers, the fleet were greeted by a barbecue and drinks.

Report from Peter Noble

A varied fleet of 21 boats including 6 Contenders and 3 Merlin Rockets gathered for the annual Man of Kent held this year at Downs sailing club on Saturday 27th June.

The forecast of 5 mph looked accurate until a lovely southerly sea breeze filled in just before the start.

Race 1 saw Nigel Cureton off to a flier in his Contender. He was first to the windward mark followed by Peter Noble and Dave Adams also in Contenders. Nigel increased his lead and Dave's downwind speed saw him up to second. The places remained the same until Nigel went for a swim on the third lap. Peter managed to take the lead on the last tack before the finish. The results on handicap were Peter first, Tom Goodey and Deb Thomas second in an RS200, with Dave third, and the Merlin Rocket of Mark Barnes and Philippa Daniels 4th.

The wind increased for race 2 and there was close racing at the front with the Contenders and the very vocal Merlin Rockets. Phil and Karen Emery won in a Merlin from Mark and Philippa in second and Peter third.

The wind then disappeared completely and tried to fill in from every different direction. After about 45 minutes a decent breeze returned although it was slightly offshore and very flukey. John Cooper and Hilary Bradshaw won in the third Merlin Rocket from Phil and Karen and a very quick Chris Shelton third in his Phantom.

The final results were extremely close with only 3 points between the top 4. The 3 Merlin's took points off each other which didn't help their overall totals.

Peter Noble from Broadstairs was first on count back in a Contender on 11 points. The Merlin Rocket from Whitstable of Mark Barnes and Philippa Daniels were second also on 11 points. Phil and Karen Emery from Whitstable third in a Merlin Rocket on 12 points, Tom Goodey and Deb Thomas from Broadstairs fourth on 14 points.

Mark won the Master of Kent trophy with Toby Freeland from Downs in his aero 9 winning the junior award.

The race officers did a great job of getting 3 good races in in better than expected wind. Wonderful hospitality as always from Downs.

• 1st: Peter Noble, Contender 691
• 2nd: Mark Barnes/Philippa Daniels, Merlin Rocket 3763
• 1st Youth: Toby Freeland, Aero 9
• Team Prize: Downs Sailing Club

Overall Results: