A weekend of windshifts for the Bembridge Redwings and One-Designs
by Mike Samuelson 14 May 2018 06:35 BST
12-13 May 2018
No wind, so no racing on Saturday morning for either the Redwings or One-Designs. On Sunday morning it looked initially as if it was going to be a similar story, however four Redwings and five One-Designs decided that there was just enough of a breeze to make it worth heading out the harbour in the hopes that might build enough for a race.
Having decided that Fitzwilliam was probably the best place to try to set up the start in the light North-Westerly, the Race Officers used Janson as the windward mark and Cochrane as the leeward mark. With the Redwings going first as normal, Colin Samuelson in No 11 Toucan got the best start and was always out in front ahead of Joe Robertson in No 24 Red Gauntlet II, Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore in No 5 Snowgoose and Richard Jessel in Blue Jay II No 6.
On the way to Cochrane the breeze swung 180 degrees so the course was changed with Tara becoming the windward mark and Fitzwilliam the leeward mark. Finishing at Garland, Toucan took first nearly two minutes ahead of Red Gauntlet II. Snowgoose and Blue Jay II were close for most of the race but in the end third place went to Snowgoose by just under a minute.
The 180 degree wind shift caught the five One-Designs on their way to Janson; Robin Joy in No 10 was first round followed by Penny Stanley helming No 9 and James Row in No 8. However, Hugh Doherty in No 11 and Martin Bonham in No 2 fell into a windless hole and had to watch with growing frustration the other three reach Tara before they managed to eventually round Janson. To add to their misfortune, they then found another hole as they tried to orthcatch up! No 10 lead most of the way but No 9 managed to get ahead on the final leg to Garland and finished 20 seconds ahead; No 8 was third.