Solo Open at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club
by Nick Fisher 18 Jun 2013 15:33 BST
15 June 2013
The weather forecast in the week ahead had been very bleak, gusts up to 45 knots with driving rain. It wasn't looking good, Friday evening the forecast had moderated somewhat but the gusts in the Bristol Channel were still being given as 45 knots.
The day dawned bright and breezy with the lake nearly full and the white horses and streaks painting a pretty picture. It's quite deceiving, as there is a large fetch the waves have time to build and the wind is not as strong as it appears, that was my philosophy anyway.
The co-ordinator (Josh Praeter) was at the club nice and early to set everything up, the race team, led by Ian Cadwallader (Flying Fifteen expert) was raring to go, no not home but out on the water. The safety briefing was held and the rescue teams were on their way, the competitors briefing was held with options explained should the wind reach high levels.
Race 1. The start was opposite the clubhouse and down to the southwest corner of the lake. A committee boat bias saw a bunch growing as the countdown neared completion. Chris Goldhawk, Tim Johnson and Andy Hewitt got the best of it and started to pull away, Rob Mitchell was suffering in their dirty wind, yours truly was a few seconds late but had a gap right on the boat and went off at full speed, getting some of the dirty wind I tacked off into clear air, went 100 yds and tacked back, now I was looking to cross the fleet, got headed tacked back onto port, went into irons and completely fluffed it. Oh well there's always another race.
Chris, Tim and Andy were pulling away, with a developing to the next bunch, Mark Lee, I, Richard Frost and Ken Comrie (a recent convert). The wind was around 20 -25 kts at this stage and big gaps were developing. The big three were pulling away all the time. We are now approaching the gybe Mark, first 3 round ok but Mark Lee decided it was time to swim, the rest of my bunch made it round and set of in pursuit. Round the leeward mark and slogging up the beat, round the windward mark and off on the run, the wind has now abated a little so not bad at all. Meanwhile Tim Johnson decided he was too hot and went for a dip to cool off. Yippee up to 3rd. The back markers were finding it hard going and were also practising their capsize drill.
Tim now is back upright and on his way, Chris and Andy are stretching away with Chris pulling away from Andy, keep your eyes on the sailing Nick and don't wander. I maintain my lead on Tim up the beat but once on the reach he shows his experience and underhauls me! We are pulling away from the bunch astern of us so can I get him up the beat. Chris takes the bullet, Andy 2nd and Tim covers me up the beat for 3rd, yours truly 4th and Mark Lee has made a fantastic recovery after the capsize to take 5th.
Race 2, and it has quietened down over lunch, the wind has swung round and started to increase again. A slight delay as the line is shifted and the course re-jigged. Off we go again, Tim Johnson's on a flyer with Chris, Andy and Mark following hard. The wind has now increased considerably, the gap with the four front runners increases and they are having their own private race, however it stays this way to the end with myself then leading the next group.
With the wind getting up even further for Race 3, there were a few retirements and the usual suspects at the front yet again, as I was one of the retirees and preparing for the prize giving I didn't get to watch the race. Final places were, Chris Tim, Mark & Andy with Geoff Silcock in 5th place.
A great day was had by all and I'm sure the forecast put off more than a few.
Overall Results:
1st 5362, Chris Goldhawk
2nd 5353, Tim Johnson
3rd 4816, Andy Hewitt
1st Veteran Mark Lee
1st Wooden Boat Rob Mitchell