XOD class at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week - Day 3
by Mark Jardine 13 Aug 2012 21:59 BST
11-18 August 2012
The XOD fleet once again had a committee boat start off the Lee-on-the-Solent shore for race 3 of their series. Again there was a general recall with the whole fleet a bit over-eager on the first attempt. This time even the Z flag at the second attempt didn't quell the enthusiasm but did cause a few 3% penalties. It was only on the third attempt under black flag that the fleet got away cleanly.
John Tremlett on X80 'Lass' won the pin at the start and tacked on to port clearing everyone, but the boats on the right of the course paid over the course of the windward leg with X124 'Kathleen' helmed by Eliot Motherwell led round the windward mark.
A few minor places changes on the run Hamble Yacht Services was followed by a fairly shifty beat up to Universal Marina with Peter Baines on X90 'Calypso', Stuart Jardine helming X119 'Lone Star', and Steve Lawrence on X26 'Catherine' rising towards the front of the fleet.
On the run to South Coast Sailing, Andy Shaw helming X186 'Phoenix' got going amongst some fairly extreme downwind angles throughout the fleet.
The weather front hit as the fleet rounded the leeward mark bringing rain and a left shift in the wind, making the left pay handsomely on the beat up to Seafarers Ale. There were many place changes under the Norris Nadgers, with boats both becalmed and flying in close proximity as they were caught in calm spots and pockets of wind.
'Phoenix' led round the final mark but a school of Mermaids (for want of a better collective noun) slowed up his charge to let Peter Baines on 'Calypso' through to take the win on the Shrape finish line by six seconds from Stuart Jardine on 'Lone Star'. Andy Shaw on 'Phoenix' just took third ahead of Steve Lawrence on 'Catherine'. Interestingly all the top four helms in the race are previous Captain's Cup winners – even in gusty and shifty conditions the cream rises to the top.
Day three XOD results can be found here.