Gul B14 Europeans at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club - Day 1
by Mike Bees & Mark Barnes 5 Sep 2015 17:19 BST
5-8 September 2015
Day 1 of the B14 Europeans, and the fleet launched into a force 4 gusting 5. As the fleet went up the track into Padstow Bay, the waves started to build. As they arrived at the race area, some of the waves were as high as 3 metres in the channel. Crew quote, after redistribution of breakfast, "I feel like I have been racing on the high seas today". Several teams on trying out the seas, and the speed at which the boats were meeting the waves going downwind, called it a day.
Those that stayed out, the majority, were to experience a day to remember, with big confused seas and holes that resembled mine shafts.
Race 1 and with wind now up to force 5, the fleet ripped off upwind, led by Seavolution (Barnsie/Chinscar Char) who took off like a stabbed rat, followed by Blue Badge (Beezer/Ferret) and Eeyore (Wattsy/Bish). After a full on beat these 3 had daylight on the pack. Downwind the message was clear, go down all guns blazing or survive (go hard or go home). Eeyore bucked and twisted and hit the tide having passed Blue Badge. Seavolution got the Magnum 45s out and fired off to the leeward gate.
Chased up the next beat by Blue Badge, these 2 ended up in their own private race. At the windward mark, the seas had built even more with the boats falling off the crests. Rounding first and successfully bearing partly away, Seavolution got hit by a slammer and having the mainsheet ripped from Barnsie's hand spun in to windward and turtled. Blue Badge, backed off and waited till in the lee of the island and then hoisted. After 2 capsizes, Seavolution, righted and gave chase now brandishing their Uzies. Meanwhile Eeyore, now behaving, saw a momentary opportunity, but seeing Seavolution off and away backed off to protect 3rd. The first 3 finished in that order followed by a depleted fleet where most had hit the tide.
Race 2 and less boats hit the line. Those who were focused were near the pin with the majority mid line and some dozing at the committee boat end. Demelza (Peter Knight/James Walter PPK) led off the pin chased by GBR681 (Paul Glidden/Josie Glidden) and Blue Badge. However, the big guns came out of the middle and gave chase with FRA 773 (Alaine Cadre/Francois Cadre). By the windward mark it was Blue Badge chased by Eeyore, Demelza, FRA773 and Seavolution. Down the run all boats behaved, even Eeyore. Up the next beat, Seavolution was now in 3rd but the main had come off the hook rack, so had to make a pit stop and reorganization. Eeyore (thanks for noticing me) put the hammer down and passed Blue Badge. FRA773 had 3rd but Seavolution having been to mission control, had the French in their sights.
Over the next lap, Eeyore, cantered off leaving Blue Badge to defend 2nd with the mob closing in. Seavolution now in 3rd, when hitting the gybing point hit when a big gust blasted them, allowing the FRA773 to do a progressive gybe to miss the excitement. Gybing, Seavolution still in the big breeze, got the Uzies out, but was heading to Milan and had to drop the kite, allowing FRA773 to take 3rd, with Demelza grannying it into 5th.
Tomorrow looks to be a less physical day where those that broke boats, can, having licked their wounds, get back on the track. Blue Badge leads overnight from Eeyore and Seavolution.