Redwing Nationals in Scillonian Sailing Club, Scilly

Ben and John Crabb win the Redwing nationals © Janice Bottomley

Robert Libby had generously offered to take his J24 to Scilly for use as Committee boat, and seeing the forecast decided to set sail early from Penzance to get in front of the weather. A 4.00 a.m. start from Looe towing the 'J' to Penzance was challenging. However, Rob's enthusiasm continued and, during his efforts to launch the 'J', the turn round the tow hitch came off resulting in Rob playing tug of war single handedly with the boat, with Pete Greenwood aboard, as it raced down the slipway, luckily into the harbour! Undeterred Rob set sail for Scilly with Peter plus two hands full of rope burns and blisters. On arrival at Scilly eight hours later, the local chemist commented that he had seen many rowers with blisters from the effects of the gigs, but nothing to match Rob's injuries. Rob purchased most of the bandages and plasters from the chemist and started to firstly repair his hands before considering the damage he had incurred to his bank balance!

Transportation of the Redwings via the ‘Gry’ and ‘Scillonian’ went according to plan with all 13 joining R77, the local boat, for what we thought would be a week of sailing. Saturday morning saw some helms and crews fly to Scilly, with the remainder arriving in the afternoon on the ‘Scillonian’, all anxious to rig their boats on Porthmellon and prepare for Sunday’s two races.

With rescue boats afloat, marks prepared for racing, and the race committee and rescue crews prepared, everyone checked in to their accommodation and awaited the briefing at 8.00 p.m. in the Scillonian Club.

The briefing dealt with the normal safety requirements like when you see seaweed on the surface - tack - and advised of the local forecast for 25 to 30 mph winds from the NNW for Sunday - moderating on Monday with anticipated 10 mph by Tuesday.

Sunday morning arrived with the 25 - 30 mph winds and a revised forecast that this would remain until Wednesday, when reduction on the wind strength was anticipated.

With all off islands unable to land passengers with the exception of Tresco, the majority of the fleet decided to take the boat to Tresco and enjoy the 12 piece orchestra in the New Inn, before partaking in the local fete at the Community Centre prior to the final watering hole at the Island Hotel. A brisk walk across the length of Tresco to catch the return boat to St Mary’s highlighted the fitness levels required to take part in such an event, and thus several retired to bed on return, with the rest retiring to the ‘Mermaid’ to prepare for two races on Monday and two on Tuesday to recover the programme.

Review of the weather on Porthmellon on the Monday morning also confirmed no racing for the day as we still had 25mph + winds, so a walk around St Mary’s became the order of the day or a lunch at Juliet’s Garden for the less athletic!

Tuesday morning's weather observations from the breakfast table seemed to suggest the wind had eased, so a 10 a.m. review was planned. On arrival at the beach a Redwing was seen planing up and down the "Sound", returning very quietly, confirming the wind speed again at about 22 mph with an imminent forecast of 30 mph issued by the Met Office. Wisely the racing was yet again called off with a plan to recover the Championship by racing 3 races on Wednesday, 2 on Thursday and 1 on Friday to complete the series.

Sea state had improved slightly and the off island boats were landing at Bryher and Tresco, so our fleet once again took to the water via the ferries to enjoy a spot of walking, food and beer following the AGM held in the Scillonian Club. Congratulations to Geoff, Bill and Helen for taking up or continuing the positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Watch this space for the date of the 2008 Championships - probably Fishguard, but possibly Looe.

Wednesday morning the wind had moderated and the Sound looked perfect to hold the three races scheduled. The Committee boat with P.R.O. Cary Rickards, flagman Derek Hocking and Gunner Paul Sedgbeer located themselves 100 yards up the beat from the leeward mark to enable the Committee boat to remain on station for all starts and finishes for the planned 3 races. This logic worked well, and with the assistance of Safety 1 (mark laying & photography boat) helmed by Brian Carvey and crewed by Marion Cole and Richard Ham, and with Safety 2 helmed by Andy Matthews and crewed by Sam Darlington and Colin from Tenby the racing commenced at approx 10.45 a.m.

Race 1

The wind was still from the NNW about 15-20 mph when the start gun fired. Some exchange of words on the start for barging echoed around the Committee boat but the race was underway and the first boats breaking from the line were R245 (Ben &John Crabb), R241(Des Hocking &Colin Crabb) and R224 (Peter Greenwood and Robert Libby. The beat seemed even on both tacks with the first mark rounding order being R245, R241 and R221 (Rolly Squibbs &Tommy D’Ortez). The first reach was broad with jib sticks being used all the way to the gybe but an improved angle was achieved by the Committee for the following rounds. Positions remained fairly consistent at the front of the fleet with several capsizes behind! A broken main halyard saw R205(Peter Kinver & Francoise La Frog) return to shore to repair and prepare for race 2, whilst R198(Matt & Mandy Ratsey) retired for an infringement and the local boat helmed by Dan Moulson and crewed by Jim Beard retired with a broken rudder. At the finish R245 took line honours followed by R241 and R224. The remainder of the fleet completed the course within minutes from the lead boats and the warning signal for Race 2 was soon sounded.

Race 2

With R77(Dan Moulson &Jim Beard) on the beach, Race 2 saw 13 competitors line up to take on a slightly increased North to Northwest wind. Again the start was dominated by R245, R241, R221 and R243 (Roger Hocking & Dominic Lozinski) , who led the fleet to and around the weather mark. The downwind leg now provided the lighter crews with a good trapezing reach and R221 made her way to lead the fleet around the course for the next two rounds. Many capsizes and incidents occurred within the remainder of the fleet, resulting in R166 (Richard Vasey & Jake Gavin) retiring and positions changing constantly. However, the final gybe mark and R221 approached at great speed. Fast in - fast out was the thought, but an unfortunate wobble resulted in fast in - both hands together - as they capsized! Their efforts to dry her out did not stop R245 taking the lead, and R241 closing the gap between 2nd and 3rd to two boat lengths. Rounding the final mark before the finish R245 lead R221 and R241 but by the line the results were R245, R241 and R221. Following a port and starboard incident with R166, Bill and Nan Dowell in R228 resurfaced after having to give way to the port tack boat and completed the race, albeit a little delayed, allowing Race 3 to proceed.

Race 3

Winds conditions remained and the third race got away with a very competitive start with many boats hitting the line on the gun. At the first mark the lead boats were R245, R241 and R226. Positions throughout this race changed little with boats trying both sides of the courses with little advantage through wind or tide. The finishing positions remained as above and crews returned to shore for a well earned rest after what had been an incredible day’s sailing.

Race 4

In order to recover the programme two races were scheduled for Thursday with the first race commencing at 10.30 a.m. R166 Richard Vasey and Jake Gavin showed excellent skill picking the correct route up the first beat to lead at the windward mark from R224 and R226 (Lisa and Francis Marshall). The second beat saw R226 move into the lead and R224 overtook R166 with R245 fast approaching.

At the finish R226 held a comfortable lead and crossed the finishline to take the Babbacombe Trophy and at the same time 18 year old Lisa Marshall became the third generation of her family to win the trophy. On the final tack for the finish Peter Greenwood R224 dropped the ‘Bar of Blame’ and sat head to wind just long enough to let R245 move from 3rd into 2nd spot .

Race 5

Sailing on the top of the tide and wind remained in the NNW with approx 20 mph of breeze. With the Scillonian ferry on her quay berth the Sound was ready for the start.

13 boats started the race with 3 retirements before the finish. R245 made their way to the front of the fleet to lead from start to finish with R221, R241 and R224 challenging for the next positions. The inside course towards Telegraph Hill seemed to favour in making you way to the weather mark. At the finish R245 lead R221 to the line with R241 taking third position.

This concluded the sailing for the day and established R245 Ben and John Crabb as National Champions for 2007.

Race 6

Friday morning's 11.00a.m. start provided a 15-20 mph Northerly wind with an increasing forecast. All the boats started the race with an even split going left and right. At the weather mark R245 lead the fleet by one length from R241 closely followed by R221. By the first gybe R221 had moved up to second and these positions were maintained to the finish. With a freshening wind, several capsized and incidents occurred throughout the race resulting in 3 retirements, the most extreme incident being R226 colliding with the end of R243's mast resulting in a holed bow.

With the imminent arrival of the Scillonian ferry, the Committee boat had to relocate to the weather mark for the finish, but with limited horsepower and a strong headwind, a new race developed between the Committee boat and R245! Reflecting their performance for the week R245 won the race and was finished by a safety boat on the weather mark, prior to the Committee boat taking over for subsequent finishing positions. R77 helmed by Dan Molson and crewed by Jim Beard successfully completed this race and lifted the junior helm and Pegasus trophy in their first championship. Well done chaps and hope to see you next year!

This concluded a very successful race programme over the three days and left the crews to pack their boats for the return journey.

A presentation dinner was arranged at the Scillonian Club for the Friday evening and all crews, family and friends enjoyed the presentation banter of new Chairman Geoff Godbolt.

Many thanks to the Committee boat, rescue boat crews, Robert Libby, Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, Harbour Master, Scillonian Sailing Club and the Scillonian Club. Without their help the event would not have taken place and the fantastic social and sailing experience we enjoyed would not have happened.

Finally, congratulations again to Ben & John Crabb our National Champions for 2007, counting five firsts and discarding a second.

Overall Results: (Click here to fill in Gear Guide information)

Junior Helm – Dan Moulson
Lady Helm - Lisa Marshall
Pegasus Trophy - Jim Beard
Rabbit - Simon Cole
Veteran Helm – Desmond Hocking