ISO Open Meeting at Calshot Sailing Club

Remember Winter? Well it arrived on Saturday 25th to welcome the ISOs to Calshot. Bright sun and a cold Northerly F4 tempted the dry suits out of Summer storage and back into action.

The start line provided a short beat to the in shore marks with Commodore Dave and Rachel in 1002 leading the pack around home waters. Bob and Duncan in 814 gave chase along with Colin and Alison in Serenity with Rob, returning to racing after almost 2 years knee injury, with sister Liz as crew. A newly purchased ISO decided to stay ashore in the rather gusty conditions.

Up to the first mark, bear off round the spreader mark and up with kites for a good blast, oh yes !, down to the tripod out in the bay, round the two leeward marks and start working out the wind over tide induced slight chop. Given the wind strength it was pretty flat water without any real interference from ferries or the giant container ships. Climb up the beat, various headers on the way and then into the really gusty stuff near the top mark, swirling around the Supermarine hanger a few hundred yards away. Made for some interesting knock downs, holes and sudden bear offs to take the shifts. 1002 took 1st, 814 2nd, Serenity 3rd.

All ashore after the first race, most civilised these folks in Calshot. Tea, Parkin and team talk to go with it.

Back out for 2 more races, back to back. Briefing said 3 laps then 2 for race 3. Wind had strengthen a bit making the reach real grin factor with the leaders neck and neck towards the leeward marks – until disaster struck 814, rudder popped up causing a synchronised capsize with Rob and Liz close by. Ho, hum, the locals pulled through to fight each other for 1st and 2nd and 814 a distant 3rd.

Final race and the wind had shifted round to the North East giving a lay line from the Committee boat to the mark. Time for a port end flyer from 814, taking full advantage to grab the lead off the line and pull out 100m lead by the 1st mark. Round the top mark pull out wide, gybe and a seriously good blast on down to the leeward mark. Team work kicked in and the drop worked well with a clean round up for the beat. Pedal to the metal and extended the lead further by the start of lap 2. Wind all fluffy under the lee shore, early gybe out of it and speed on down with a couple of gybes to the bottom mark. Round and out well clear of the pack covering tack and head for the finish line – or was it ?

No finishing bell and the RO signalling keep going for a 3rd lap. No problem !! Grin factor 10 again down another run. Yee haaahhhh ! 814 comfortably took line honours to close the day with 1002 and Serenity very close together for 2nd and 3rd, with Rob and Liz grinning all the way to the finish. An ace days sailing had by all.

Sunday morning brought in a really cold, even stronger Northerly persuading several crews of the merits of the Club House. So as no club sailors wanted to sail either we called it a day.

Many thanks to all at Calshot for hosting the event. Look forward to coming back again soon.