Shustoke Sailing Club back open for sailing
by Tracie Padro 28 May 2020 14:33 BST
24 May 2020
Shustoke Sailing Club back open for sailing © Harvey Rose
Shustoke Sailing Club reopened last Sunday for sailing, after weeks of virtual eSailing. Indeed we finished our Covid-19 Challenge Cup using Virtual Regatta, which enabled members to meet weekly on Zoom and to race against each other virtually. A good way to keep in touch and sail... e-sail.
The winner of this challenge was Onespeedyboi. It was a great end to the week for the winner, who unfortunately made the fatal error as a teenager of allowing his parents to cut his hair this week... Let's just say, it will grow back!
Back to the sailing. Firstly a huge thanks to the committee and assistants who enabled us to sail in safety within the appropriate guide lines, single-handers or household crews. A special thanks to Severn Trent Water for their support in making this happen.
So what happened on our first sail and race since lockdown? Well we all had a great time on the water! After much anticipation, near perfect conditions greeted the fleet for our first racing event since Covid19 lockdown.
With a fresh breeze coming in from the West, the OD Darren Padro decided some long beats and a few reaches were the order of the day.
The mixed fleet included a 420, Comet Trio, Lasers, Phantoms, Solos, Larks and an Optimist and it was great to see families out sailing together. A total of 18 boats took part.
Well done to Ralph Cawthorne who won the race in the Optimist. Some interesting tactics in play caused a capsize when a 420 tried their luck to sail to windward of a Lark, but a slight luff from the Lark took the 420 from a trapeze position to a swimming position... the kind human lockdown spirit clearly disappeared on the water!
The race crew practised procedures on the Saturday which ensured that the few boats that did capsize were expertly dealt with. The club benefits from multiple safety RIBs that can be operated single handedly.
Next weekend we hope for two days of racing with an increased number of boats. It's great to say keep safe sailing instead of keep eSailing. We hope other clubs are out in the water like us.