Final weekend of 2020 Bembridge Redwing & One-Design Racing
by Mike Samuelson 28 Sep 2020 05:07 BST
26-27 September 2020
Traditionally the last weekend of racing for the Redwings and One-Designs tends not to see large numbers of boats wanting to race and so with a 08:00 start on Saturday because of the tides and strong NW winds forecast, it was pretty impressive to see three Redwings and four One-Designs raring to go.
Although certainly colder than we have become used to, there was hardly a cloud in the sky, and sea & wind conditions just outside the harbour initially looked very promising. However with no buoys suitable as windward marks if the line was at Pepe, the Race Officers had no option other than to head out to Garland where conditions were not so friendly!
Both fleets had the same course with the windward mark for the first round as Drum and Nainby for the second and an inflatable leeward mark laid 200m to the south of Garland. The three Redwings got away to a clean start with Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II making the early running.
Start of the Redwing race on Saturday
However it was not long before Tara (Mike & Katherine Toogood) had to retire and be towed into the harbour by Rod when her jib became unusable after the forestay had broken. Blue Jay & Red Gauntlett II meanwhile took different routes to Drum with the former, having been well behind initially, ahead after the first round. Indeed it looked as if the race was their's, however it all went wrong on the final short beat to the line from the leeward inflatable and Red Gauntlet II snatched a win. Understandably, neither fancied a second race!
The four One-Designs were well clear of the line at the start; mind you with the Committee Boat dragging her anchor despite it being reset at least 4 times, crossing on starboard was not easy. It also did not help that three boats were confused over whether the pin was Garland or the leeward inflatable.
Although No 7 helmed by Sarah Marshall eventually came back, No 10 helmed by Hugh Doherty was the only boat to actually cross the line correctly and it was not until 'talked' through back on the pontoon after the race that Jos Coad in No 8 and D Orange in No 12 realised their error and gracefully retired. In the event No 10 soon developed a considerable lead and finished over 30 seconds ahead of No 8; No 12 crossed the line third and No 7 was fourth but moved up to second after No 8 & No 12 retired. As with the Redwings there was little or no interest in a second race!
With the breeze more Northerly and showing little likelihood of dropping, sadly Sunday's races (the last of the season) that were due to start at 09:00 & 09:05, where cancelled and yet again N over A was displayed. Definitely a wise call as conditions outside the harbour (NNW F6) were distinctly lumpy.
Racing cancelled (video by Crispin Kenyon)!
It has obviously been a 'very different' summer to the norm, however given the extraordinary circumstances we have faced, well done to everyone who joined in and helped make it a season that we will never forget. Next weekend it becomes the turn of the Illusions to get back to 'boating'; Saturday is normal racing and Sunday is the annual 'Invitational Day' when we look forward to welcoming new helms to have a go in the hopes that some will get bitten by the 'Illusion' bug."