XOD class at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week - Day 4
by Mark Jardine 14 Aug 2012 22:14 BST
11-18 August 2012
Once again the XOD fleet were sent to the Lee-on-the-Solent shore for their startline, but this time they needed their buckets and spades as the start was literally on the beach! This resulted in a few teams running aground as they jostled for tidal advantage up the first part of the beat. After two general recalls the black flag was raised for the third start and order was maintained.
The first leg was up to a laid mark on the east end of the Bramble Bank. Peter Baines on X90 'Calypso', having started at the committee boat end and hit the right hand corner led at the windward mark closely followed by the Lawrence brothers on X26 'Catherine' who had started near the committee boat and carried on starboard to hit the left hand corner of the beat. It was a leg where the corners paid - it didn't seem to matter which one!
Then followed a run to Hamble Yacht Services and a beat across the north channel and up to Ryde Bank, round North Ryde Middle. The run down to Hill Head favoured the Southerly route taking advantage of the slack tide in the main channel and avoiding the foul tide which had already turned over the Bramble bank and in the north channel with X26 'Catherine' taking the lead.
Then followed a beat up to West Ryde Middle and a spinnaker to the Shrape finish where 'Catherine' extended her lead to over two minutes ahead of Peter Baines in 'Calypso' with Richard Field in X92 'Persephone' taking third.
Day 4 results can be found here.