Boxing Day Pursuit at Exe Sailing Club
by Mike Rice 6 Jan 2005 13:42 GMT
26 December 2004
The Christmas cobwebs were blown away in style by the crews of the 14 boats that took to the water for the Exe SC Boxing Day pursuit race. Having rigged and launched their boats in freezing, sleety rain, everyone was pleased that the sun returned and stayed out for the whole race, although the f3-4 Northerly breeze had a keen edge to it. Race Officer David Blight set an upwind-downwind course in the river, keeping well away from the power boat racing taking place at the same time along the Exmouth seafront.
First to start was Sam Matson, in his Laser 4.7. It took him a while to clear the start area against the fierce ebb tide, but once into slacker water he made good progress, and held onto the lead for most of the first leg. The next group to go included four Comet Trios, a Laser Stratos and a Wayfarer with four aboard, helmed by Mike Morgan. Tony Brewster, crewed by Rob Masters, was soon leading the group in his Comet Trio.
The four RS 200s which started next represented 80 percent of the Exe RS 200 fleet – a great turnout. Chris Rhodes and son Mark were soon ahead of the other 200s and eating their way into the three minute lead of the Comet Trios. Starting with the 200s were Paddy Blight and Megan Burrough, in Paddy’s newly restored Cherub, “Whaaam”. Unfortunately for them, a close encounter with the river bottom on the way to the start damaged the dagger board and jammed it in the fully down position, which is the last thing you need when sailing on the Exe at low water. Paddy and Megan eventually had to retire, but not before capsizing spectacularly by the dock entrance – out of sight of the cameras, sadly!
Last to go were visiting Cherub sailors Will and Lucy Lee, in “Norwegian Blue”, a powerful boat with a truly enormous green spinnaker. On a good day the Lees are quite capable of starting at the back of a fleet like this and slicing their way to the front, but the Exe on a falling tide is not a very visitor-friendly place. Local knowledge is the key to success, as Tony Brewster demonstrated by leading the fleet the “wrong” side of a sand bar on the approach to the windward mark. His Comet Trio slid over it with millimetres to spare, but those following were not so fortunate.
By the start of the second lap, Rhodes father and son had established a lead they were to hold until the finish of the one hour race. Brewster and Masters managed to hold off the rest of the RS 200s to take second place. Martin Lilley was voted winner of the Committee Boat prize (a free print from www.fotoboat.com), for his blind faith in following Tony Brewster over the sand bar, well, most of the way over. Had there been a prize for the best outfit it would undoubtedly have gone to Rick Newcombe and Rosie Sands, who sailed in full Santa Claus rig.
The mulled wine and mince pies that awaited the sailors on their return was very welcome. A raffle of “unwanted Christmas gifts”, with proceeds donated to the RNLI, rounded off a great morning. That’s it for dinghy racing at ESC until next spring, although the keener members will now be driving their boats round to Starcross to join in the SYC winter series.