Selden Osprey Nationals at Porthpean Sailing Club - Day 4

Supported and Sponsored by Seldén Masts

Race 4, 220º, 16 – 18 knots with gusts over 20, wet and misty out at sea with a significant swell.

The start was delayed until 12.20, waiting for the weather to be a bit more clement. Two were over the line; one went back and one didn’t. It was proper Osprey weather, good healthy, big seas with surf and spray - big boys stuff! At the first mark 1296 popped out in front followed by 1290 and 1331 – unfortunately the Hobsons rounding in 1318 chose this moment to break their rudder and retired. 1116 after his premature start made good and proved the point that a bad start is never the end result – unless you let it be. The race was frantic over a slightly shortened course with 1290 (Cooney and Frith) first, then 1296 (Williams and P Grieg) followed by 1116 (Harvey and M Greig).

Race 5, 221º, 15 knots with gusts over 20.

During the end of the first race the sun came out and the wind slowed from 26 to 15 knots. Certain over-extended individuals from the first race decided that, as the sun was shining, they could go out to play again. The extended interval of 1¾ hours due to a shifty wind dulled the senses a bit but, eventually, a start at 3.45pm saw the fleet beating out to sea with wind from 225º. The race proceeded at a pace stretching the fleet out yet again. The battle for supremacy became another long dogfight between 1290, 1296 , 1281 and 1116, ending in that order at 4.50pm.At this point the top two finishers were very closely poised to give a very exciting finish as both could win over the next two races. Again the forecasted weather is interesting and threatening force 6 for Thursday. The following report details the finish.

Day 4 Report from Peter Frith:

Following a delay between races to extend the course and shift the marks nearly everyone stayed out for the second race. Clear blue sky, force 4-5 SW. A few boats went for the pin end but the majority favoured the Committee Boat end. Jeremy Williams & Peter Greig (1296) were forced to tack soon after the start and headed inshore. Martin Cooney and I (1290) headed out to the left but cut across to track 1296. Phil Angrave & Peter Smith (1281) and Lee Harvey & Mike Greig (1116) continued two thirds of the way to the lay line before tacking. At the windward mark it was 1296 followed by 1281, 1116 and 1331 just ahead of 1290. Down the reach the first three stayed in order but 1290 took fourth following reach to reach gybes, then everyone bunched up at the leeward mark. 1296 stood on but 1116 followed by 1281 tacked off. At the windward mark 1296 rounded just ahead of 1290. Down the run 1290 worked inside of 1296 to take first place at the leeward mark. The following triangle saw 1290 extend their lead having some excellent reaches. The contest then switched to third and fourth place with a real tacking duel up the last beat. 1281 finally won out to claim third.

Day 4 Report from Paddy Lewis:

After a long wait we were underway and got off the line well with clear air and sailed fast up the first beat, took the shifts and arrived at the windward mark in about 9th place, in amongst the big boys! We held our position down the first reach, got to the gybe mark and then the fun began. Down to the leeward mark we caught two or three waves that we stayed on for 200 yards, we were having so much fun we nearly forgot the race and continued past the mark.

We rounded the leeward mark and made some good gains up the beat and so it went on until the last windward mark when we hoisted the kite and were hit by a gust which caused a half capsize which allowed three boats past and that’s how we stayed until the last leg when the Old Men From the Sea (Alec Mamwell & Ian Little 1276) passed us up the last beat, which is why I’m writing this!

John Bowden Diary: (Aged 13 & 2 weeks)

I live in Dorset – just outside Weymouth, which is really convenient. Although our dinghy class in Weymouth is declining sailing is still my favourite sport. I also really enjoy playing golf, which is also really convenient because Came Down Golf Club is a two-minute walk from home. I go to Millfield School which is very good because they offer a huge range of sports such as squash, cricket, rugby, hockey, badminton, sailing etc. I really enjoy Millfield especially boarding and the sport.

Race 4 - There was a big sea with wind of about Force 4 gusting 5, dropping off. Throughout the race there was also low cloud and it was overcast. One minute before the gun we weren’t fully awake and a big gust capsized us. This meant we had half a boat full of water going over the line. The boat was extremely good fun in the big waves, we were 19th around the windward mark. We didn’t fly the kite down either of the reaches but it was still awesome surfing down the waves with two sails.

By the time the wind had died down it was perfect for our weight. We held our own well although we did have a few tussles with 1329 Grand Cru. Our finish result was 19th.

Race 5 - After the fourth race our centreboard housing came away which meant that we couldn’t compete in the fifth race but hopefully will be able to compete tomorrow. Our overall result is 25th

Race 4 Results:

Race 5 Results: