GJW Direct Bloody Mary in a Musto Skiff
by Sam Pascoe 6 Jan 20:10 GMT
Sam Pascoe wins the GJW Direct 48th Bloody Mary © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
Five Musto Skiffs turned up to 5-12 knots and a warm 10 degrees. Far too tropical conditions for the Bloody Mary!
Having missed one of the winter events, I got the far nicer coloured silver rash vest. Whilst watching the early starts we chuckled as the RS400 had a general recall and started 2 minutes later than scheduled - definitely helping us overall.
The breeze built by 3 knots 10 minutes before our start, meaning we could stretch our legs in the puffs. Sam Barker won the pin on the start. Afterwards we all tacked on to port with Fred Cudmore hitting the afterburners, flying out right into an early lead, before finding one of the many holes at Queen Mary today. With Barker being sat on by the International Canoe, Sam Pascoe held a small lead at the windward mark.
Down the first run Fred nailed the right, overtaking Barker and nearly Pascoe. We then had a tight reach where Sam, Fred and Dan Vincent held their kites whilst Barker didn't and overtook Fred.
The next beat decided the Musto Skiff positions for the day. Barker looked good early on but found an extra big hole and let Pascoe away. Fred let Dan through when he headed for the wrong windward mark. It was also the beat when we properly drop the RS700s who started with us.
As we ended our first lap traffic management became the name of the game. It took me a complete laps to pass 150 boats. It was all about clear air and staying out of trouble. By the start of the third lap all I had to pass was the National 12, which on a shifty and light beat wasn't that easy. That left me 15 minutes to build up a nice lead. Barker pulled through to an impressive 6th.
Other Musto Skiff results:
Dan Vincent 19th
Griff Tanner 34th
Fred Cudmore 47th
The good thing about today was I finally beat my dad's second place he got 15 years ago in a 2.4m.
That result leaves me and the Musto Skiffs in a strong place on the Selden Sailjuice Winter Series.
Final words are to say thank you to Megan Pascoe and The AA for rescuing Barker's van when we got a flat tire and had no jack or spanner.