Solo Offshore Racing Club Cherbourg peninsula weekend

Solo Offshore Racing Club Cherbourg peninsula weekend © Kirsteen Donaldson

Race report from Chris Morton on the J/88 Jester:

Leg 1 - Cowes to St Vaast

The forecast running up to the weekend promised great weather and got it bang on. Starting at Gurnard at 1700, we had the tide with us and a puffy sea breeze on the beam. Some flew code zeros but Jester hastily threw up the A5. We had a blast to the forts until as usual the wind backed at Ryde and it was back to white sails.

Just pipped to Bembridge by Ed Sneddon on the Farrier F36, Solan Goose, the wind settled into an 8-10 knot south westerly and the fleet compressed. It was the kind of night we dream of, not too cold, not too dark, with fabulous stars. As we sailed on our chosen routes, Jester and Kitty jousted all night.

As light returned, the remaining fleet appeared on AIS uptide of us and bombing around Barfleur. The wind was now turning a bit light but held on to give a close finish. The larger faster boats doing what they do best, "Step On" competing in his first offshore solo race showed us how it's done, with a close pack of Jester, Pyxis (X332, Kirsteen Donaldson) and Kitty (A31, David Bright) all seeing Le Gavendest finish line in short order. Jester was very happy with our position, although as usual IRC is a cruel mistress to us lightweights, the IRC bandit Salamander (Sigma 33, Juan Moreno) bring home the silverware. St Vaast was very welcoming to the race fleet and after a quick shuteye a good lunch was had.

Leg 2 - St Vaast - Îles Saint-Marcouf - St Vaast

As the wind for Sunday's race was due to be light, plan was to shoot out of the lock as it opened, gate start, around the Îsles Saint Marcouf and back. The weather and race couldn't have been more perfect, a beat with a few tacks to the islands, a short blast with the A5 and a reach to the finish, Steve on Azora took line honours, just relentless upwind. The usual trio of Kitty, Jester and Pyxis followed.

Another good lunch was had on Kitty, followed by an early prize-giving so we could make use of (drink) the winnings.

Leg 3 - St Vaast to Solent

A spinnaker home run home was promised but the reality was little wind. After 1 half h motoring searching for the breeze, our off-wind start turned out to be quite competitive but Jester got away cleanly. Aching to hoist the kite, we let the wind settle just forward of our sweet spot. Others hosted code zeros, Azora (C&C 115, Steve Thomas) and Step On (Sunfast 3200 R2, Mark Emons) shot off but, on a slightly different trajectory, Pyxis went for it, Solan Goose on rails and reacher, Kitty, Jester and Salamander staying on white sails, higher and closer to our planned course. It was relentlessly hot and sunny, plenty of hydration and sun screen needed. Jester had a lovely visit from a pod of porpoise, just to the NE of the conservation area.

Our course shaped up perfectly to be swept up the east of the island to Bembridge. The plan would have worked perfectly had the wind not headed and dropped just at the wrong time. Meanwhile Pyxis nudged ahead and, as I wallowed, Salamander was charging up from behind. All of a sudden, I was in bandit country but thankfully the wind allowed Jester and Pyxis to jostle all the way past No Man's Land Fort. The wind went behind, yet again Pyxis showed her superior tactics and out gybed me to the finish, not the welcoming quick flash of North Sturbridge cardinal but a black unlit monolith looming out of the darkness. The Solent at night became the biggest challenge of the race as Jester came close to colliding with several unlit marks.

A heartfelt thanks to our small but perfectly formed fleet for a fabulous four days of racing.

Visit the SORC website for the full results including final series points and to read an informative report by Mark Emons about racing solo offshore for the first time.