Scarborough Yacht Club Autumn Series - Race 4

Fred Ingham, Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall racing at Scarborough © SYC

The race, a phased Class Start, started at 13:00pm with fourteen yachts competing in a heavy swell, and a light and unpredictable Easterly wind.

As the 10 to 11.5 knot wind fell to zero shortly after the start, vessels barely moved. The heavy North East swell and low temperatures took their toll on competitors' enthusiasm, some crews were reporting queasiness from the motion, and the radio calls to the Race Station became a stream of, "We're retiring."

Attempting an early leg to the Wheatcroft buoy, all participants experienced miniscule progress, and the Race Station team were of the view there would still be yachts at sea when the official race period finished at 4:30pm.

But no. The Jon Livesay-owned Team Vision continued doggedly on in the gathering gloom, with sails flapping, an oscillating boom, and a spinnaker that rarely filled. Crewed by Scarborough Yacht Club's dream team Sarah Livesay, Fred Ingham, former sailmaker Tony Saltonstall, Bob Smales, and Harry Pickering on bow, Gerard Dyson (National Squib Champion) on helm, true sporting skill was truly on show. (Owner Jon Livesay was on duty at the race out at the Race Station.)

And then came the result. With Gerard commenting, "with 5 minutes of race time left! Phew!" Vision scored a first, with thirteen yachts having pulled out.

Well done to the crew for a race result that will be talked about for months to come!

Results:

IRC - 1st. Vision, SJ320