Osprey Nationals at Porthpean Sailing Club - Day 4

Race 5 Report by John Batt

Thursday dawned with glassy sea and a cloudless sky but by the start the wind had filled in from the NW again, F2-3. All clean at the start and Rob Shaw / Ian Little followed the shifts up the right of the first beat gaining them a big lead at the windward mark followed by Paddy Lewis / Tom Holland. After some retuning on the lay day Batt/Broomhall were uncertain about boat speed but after another poor start came in around 10th at the windward mark with some work to do. By the second beat as the wind was veering the majority of the fleet found that going hard right was paying. Shaw/Little continued to extend their lead throughout the race. Lewis/ Holland clung on to second with Tim Rush/ Robin Hobson putting them under pressure in third. Batt/Broomhall found that tweaking the rig had not been detrimental to their boat speed and worked up to fifth by the finish.

Race 6 Report by Ian Little

Starboard end paid this time and Mick Greenland/ Lee Marriott in 1322 made the most of a gap. The right hand side paid dividends and 1322 pulled into an early lead followed by the Scotts in 1317, Rush/Hobson and the Doc and Ce. This set the pattern for several roundings until Rush/Hobson managed to pull through to first. Rumours that Greenland in the leading boat had stood up to take photographs of the following fleet proved to be true, Mr G’s excuse that he was enjoying the moment. Much place changing ensued in the last lap, Shaw and Little in 1317 taking a couple of boats on the run only to lose out again up the beat. The minor places were not settled until the gun, the Hartleys in 1344 crossing the line to deafening silence. Rush/Hobson were first, Greenland/Marriott taking second, a good result for Ce and the Doc in third. This result puts Rush and Hobson in a commanding position going into the last race but with five different winners in the six races so far consistency may be the key to ultimate success.

The Osprey Nationals from a novice point of view... (by Kirstie McAlpine Crew 1245 Two Bob Bit)

Three ambitions launched us into this – to race each race with nerve, not to come last and not to fall over – four days in and we have met each one in style. Porthpean was the club we wanted to do our first nationals in as we had been told that the friendliness of the club matched the great sailing conditions in St Austell Bay. Everything so far has surpassed expectations.

Four days in and we have sailed in light winds building to f5 with enough variety and challenge to keep us thinking. Today the sea reflected the sky like a mirror and hearts dropped at the prospect of a day on the shore. However, whispers of wind began to play across the surface of the sea and race 4 began with a solid breeze that enabled 33 boats to bustle into an assertive and noisy start. Most of the fleet powered down the port side of the course but we tacked into clear wind and chased down starboard side to meet the fleet at the windward mark.

Sweet gusts and lucky lifts brought us to the windward mark much nearer the head of the fleet than we had ever been before. Unable to believe the people we were sailing near, we tacked too soon and sailed perfectly along the lay line into the windward mark. This was a mistake as we promptly got headed by a gust and found ourselves heading directly towards the mark at high velocity with no room to get around. The fleet congregated around us and very patiently sailed past without making any comment. In the silence of their departure, we did our turns for hitting the mark, and started to chase them back again.

Several tight and exciting reaches followed as we fought to gain ground again. Dogfights at the back of the fleet are just as much fun as at the front and one of the joys of the Osprey fleet is the fact there is always someone to race against at whatever level you sail. We battled hard with 1260 (sailed by Chris Woodward and Andrew Wilson) all the way and finally they triumphed on the last tack of the final beat. We came in 30th out of 33. Not last, and we sailed with nerve and there were no capsizes. Result.

After lunch from the infamous pasty boat, we started again. The wind built over the course of race 5 so that conditions changed from leg to leg. The cracking start of race 4 was sadly a distant memory but we managed to hold ground throughout the race to match our best result of the week with a 25th. Still no capsizes, still not last and our nerve is building.

Porthpean has opened our eyes to the sailing skills at the top level of the fleet. We have had so much advice and assistance from everyone and our sailing is changing daily. Clear seas, sunshine and a willing welcome have made it a pleasure to sail at the club. Next time we will be ready for more wind. Next time we might have to modify our ambitions...

Results after Day 4: (6 races)