Fast Handicap at the 36th Hoo Freezer, Hoo Ness Yacht Club
by Mark Barnes 22 Feb 2007 10:16 GMT
17-18 February 2007
Saturday and the fleet arrived to little winds, glorious sunshine and 11°C. Today would be the practise race run on the waters between Lower Upnor and Kingsnorth Power Station on the Medway. First away were the fast handicap fleet. However, with strong bias to the committee boat several boats had to queue up to start. At the windward mark Musto Skiff 265 (Richard Stenhouse) led from Musto Skiffs 252 (Kit Stenhouse), 283 (Mick Keates) and B14 768 Readycrest (Mark Barnes/Pete Nicholson).
These 4 were to have a close battle over the next lap and half. Richard Stenhouse made a navigation error so slipping to 3rd and Readycrest gradually pulled through to lead the 3 Mustos by up to 100 m. at times. On the Turn for home with about 2.0 n.m. to go, Readycrest led from Mick Keates, Kit and Richard Stenhouse. Sailing into the ebbing tide, Readycrest sailed along the north shore and gradually one at a time the Mustos switched to the south shore (width about 800 m.). at the final mark prior to the finish the 3 Mustos had passed Readycrest. At the finish it was Mick Keates from Kit and Richard Stenhouse followed by Readycrest. However, with the wind building it was to be a day for the slow Handicap fleet. First was Merlin 3620 Howard Patterson/Sophie Mackley, 2nd Merlin 3649 Rein Zilvold/Julie Nuttall and 3rd Merlin 3664 Tudor Owen/Hamish Kilburn.
Sunday arrived and more of the same breeze but no sun and the temperature only 7°C. Racing would be on the same stretch of water but using some different marks.
The fleet was up to full strength with 10 Musto Skiffs and 8 B14s going head to head. Off the start line it was B14 CSC (Chris Bines/Dave Gibbons) followed by Readycrest, Richard Stenhouse and B14 654 (Dan Cowin/Rachel Bennett). On the first run Richard Stenhouse found more pressure to pass the 2 B14s but at the turn mark it was nose to tail with B14s CSC and Readycrest alongside each other. On the fetch Readycrest went high taking Richard Stenhouse with them resulting in CSC driving through to leeward into the lead. Onto the beat down Gillingham Reach and CSC lead from Richard Stenhouse, Readycrest and I14 1499 (Mathew Larkin/Paul Jenkns). On the 1.5 n.m. beat against the tide, CSC lead but the next 3 fought all the way with Richard Stenhouse slowly slipping back (what would he do for a jib at this point). Having pulled away to about 300 m. from the fleet these 4 headed to and rounded Channel Mark No. 25. It was at this point that they realised they had missed out No. 26. Taking in excess of 10 minutes to undo the mistake. CSC headed home and the other 3 rejoined the fleet, but at the back. They managed to climb back to 15, 17 and 21 on the water.
So the lead was taken up by B14 758 AT&T (Tim Fells/Shaun Barber), B14 770 (Simon Hadley/Nicki Webster), Kit Stenhouse, Musto Skiff 170 (Dan Henderson) and B14 760 (Gerry Brown/Chris Fermor). These 5 were to have a close battle throughout the rest of the race. Downwind the Musto Skiffs reeled the B14s in and on the beats the B14 clawed a much needed lead out on the Musto Skiffs. At the finish after 2 hours of racing AT&T won by 34 seconds from Kit Stenhouse, Dan Henderson, Hadley/Webster and Brown/Fermor.
Again with a mixed breeze gradually increasing on the last lap, it was to be a slow handicap day. However, Merlin Rockets 3469 and 3666 (Chris Lewns/Jane Beaumont) who had had a close battle all race with the result of 3666 eventually passing 3649 on the run up Gillingham Reach took the overall result from Lark 2500 (Simon Cox/Sara Olliff).
Club prize went to Downs Sailing Club and Class prize to B14 “B” (B14 772, 770, 654).
A well run event with very friendly atmosphere, was enjoyed by all.
Next big event is the Starcross Steamer next weekend.