Sonata Match Racing at Christchurch Sailing Club
by Tringa and Fiddler's Elbow 27 Aug 2015 09:46 BST
22 August 2015
Sonata match racing at Christchurch © Rory Barnes
We are Tringa and Fiddler's Elbow. A pair of middle-aged Hunter Sonatas enjoying a peaceful existence moored on the river Stour, in Christchurch.
Well, it was peaceful until a crowd of youngsters clambered aboard last weekend. This is what happened:
The children at Christchurch Sailing Club usually sail single-handed dinghies. The grown-ups decided they should learn teamwork and our owners agreed to let them sail us in an event called "Sonata Match Racing". So last Saturday each of us had 5 kids climbing all over us and generally making a lot of noise.
With the Bournemouth Air-show taking place overhead we had a few distractions but the adults had given the kids a briefing so they hopefully knew what was supposed to happen. The plan was to run several short races around Christchurch Bay.
Race 1
Fiddler's Elbow's crew was Drew Barnes (Helm), Roman Gill, Ellis Wakefield Charlie Lawrence and Archie Tarpey.
Tringa's crew was Jack Acton (Helm), Sophie Walker, Ruby Van Bommel, Ben, Van Bommel and Lauren Percival.
Fiddler's Elbow started on starboard, Tringa on port. Tringa tacked below Fiddler's and a tacking duel developed all the way up the beat. Tringa managed to round the top mark inside and held on to win the first race.
Tringa - 1 : Fiddler's - 0
Race 2
We were relieved that the adults had banned the kids from playing with our spinnakers. This race was downwind all the way which confused the kids. Eventually they figured out how to put the jib on the opposite side to the mainsail but the biggest brains were on Tringa and Jack Acton's team had been first to take advantage and were never challenged.
Tringa – 2 : Fiddler's - 0
Race 3
The ungrateful kids on Fiddler's Elbow were by now convinced that they had the slower boat. Coach Beasley, hardly famous for his boat-speed improving skills, jumped aboard to tell the kids to "man up". He also grabbed the tiller from the unfortunate Drew Barnes but the extra waterline length created by having an extra crew aboard probably made the biggest difference. With Team Acton making their trademark reach in to the line, Team Beasley- Barnes closed the door and pushed poor Tringa into the committee boat. By the time Tringa had recovered her composure, the dangerously overloaded Fiddler's Elbow had lumbered away into a clear lead. Coach Beasley was thrown overboard shortly after the start and Drew's team cruised to victory.
Tringa - 2 : Fiddler's - 1
Race 4
With a win under their belt, the kids on Fiddler's Elbow looked a lot more confident going into race 4. Tringa won the start and headed upwind with Fiddler's Elbow close behind. After a great dog fight all the way up the beat, Tringa overstood the mark, allowing Fiddler's to claim mark room inside. This was enough for Team Barnes to hold Team Acton off while they race to the finish.
Tringa - 2 : Fiddler's - 2
Race 5
The scoreline is 2:2. Well, we are identical boats, what did you expect? All to play for in the final race of the day. Tringa and Fiddler's are neck and neck off the start line. Team Acton, in Tringa, just lead at the top mark with Fiddler's breathing down their neck. A long downwind to the finish initially caused some confusion as the mark was over a mile away and out of sight. Kids have sharp eyes, though, and a furious chase down the run ensued with Jack Acton's team aboard Tringa crossing just ahead to take the overall victory.
Tringa's Crew
Jack Acton
Sophie Walker
Ruby Van Bommel
Ben, Van Bommel
Lauren Percival
Fiddler's Elbow's crew
Drew Barnes
Ellis Wakefield
Roman Gill
Charlie Lawrence
Archie Tarpey
Overall the day was full of smiles and laughter, all participants enjoyed the racing and can't wait for the next one scheduled in late September.