Magnum Poole-Weymouth race with Poole Yacht Racing Association
by Mike Fox 10 Jul 2013 17:37 BST
5-7 July 2013
Whilst Andrew Pearce was enjoying glory at the IRC National Championships, the event he sponsors for Poole Yacht Racing Association (where his racing career had started in an MG335) was underway.
The photographs say it all! Lots of sunshine but little wind! 14 boats having set out from Poole on Friday evening on glassy waters.
'Deity' as the start boat, provided instructions to take times at various points along the course to Weymouth. 'The Great Silkie' made it to St Albans, 'Deity' and 'Panache' 2nd and 3rd, in class 2 'Athene' and 'Green Magnum' made it to DZ2. In class 3 'Shebeen' stuck it out to the Western mile marker.
Entering Weymouth Harbour at night was interesting, being confronted with what looked like pairs of green buoys in the main channel (see PDF harbour diagram). Because of the current harbour works you have to go tight on the southern side of the Channel leaving the green marks to starboard (as you would expect with green markers)!
Various boats were tying up at Weymouth at about 1:30 in the morning.
For the return passage on Sunday the wind played games, teasing the race officer into making a start and then immediately dying. 'Avalanche' wisely and immediately postponed and the fleet motored west in search for wind and in an attempt to beat the tide which was going to turn foul at 11:30. Another but unsuccessful attempt off Lulworth.
Success was achieved however for class 1 at the Western measured mile markers at 11:30. Instructions were again issued to take times at the eastern measured mile markers and Peveril Ledge. 'The Great Silkie' finished at the eastern measured mile marker at 13:16:41!! The rest of the fleet having retired following an hour of tacking right into the cliffs and then back out into the tide with positions constantly changing.
Despite little wind it was good to see the sun!