Crouch Yacht Club Autumn Series - Race 7
by Phillip Harbott 13 Nov 2016 21:07 GMT
13 November 2016
Peter Cashel Memorial Trophy
Traditionally the fleet moor off the Burnham War Memorial to observe the silence and this year was no exception. 8 racing yachts and several others all went down river to be part of the Remembrance Service.
The seventh race in Autumn Series started at 11.40 with 8 boats starting. There was a strong ebb tide, and a good 10 to 15 knots westerly breeze on the bright sunny morning. The fleet started on the North Shore and three boats were OCS; Grace and Danger helmed by Stephen Gosling, Duncan Haley's Double Trouble and Paul Trueman's Exile. All three returned quickly, but not before Martin and Kirsty Brooks Sapphire, the J80 Glorious Fools owned by Digger Harden and Pete Jackson and Mantra helmed by Ian Hart got away. Mark Lyons in Martinique and Andy Heel's Bella Vela followed.
The course took the fleet right up to Raypits with Duncan Haley in the Corby 29, Double Trouble, leading the fleet. Sapphire sailed hard to keep second on the water, with the J80 Glorious Fools chasing hard on their heels. Exile followed, with Mantra fifth. The Dehler, Martinique, was next to round followed by Grace and Danger the SJ 27 owned by Andrew Courts, Roger Noble and Stephen Gosling.
The fleet set spinnakers at Raypits, with Exile choosing to remain white sailed throughout. Further down river, some of the fleet went to asymmetric kites as the wind was shier. On rounding the point at the Burnham Yacht Harbour, Double Trouble had an enormous broach, costing them about 30 seconds. Sapphire held their kite down riverwell, and Glorious Fools pulled back on Sapphire on the final leg. Mantra came in fifth under her red asymmetric. On corrected time on IRC, Glorious Fools won by 3 seconds from Sapphire with Double Trouble third, Mantra fourth and Exile fifth.
In local handicap. Martinique won with Grace and Danger second, Bella Vela retired.
The Peter Cashel is an overall trophy run on local handicap, with Sapphire winning by 9 seconds from Glorious Fools with Double Trouble third.
Next week is the last race in the series followed by lunch.