Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series at Barton's Point Coastal Park - Week 8
by Jamie Blair 12 Feb 14:17 GMT
11 February 2024
As predicted the wind was going to be a challenge for both the course setting and the sailors. The first zephyr provided a NE of about 4 knots. A Sail GP type course was positioned, giving a reaching start and allowing a windward/leeward leg after a broad reach.
Time and distance and how fast the mainsheet winch works were all important to hit the start with. Jamie Blair (51) grabbed the moment in race 1 doing just this and with his lead extending in clear air others fought for any wind! Bob Woolford (76) squeezed through the fleet from a position well down the fleet to log a second. There were holes in the wind leaving some stranded so "eyes out the boat" so important to choose the route in what wind there was.
Race 2 and 3 saw similar racing but Jamie had the measure of the start and keeping in what wind there was. Tim Townsend (45) was not far adrift posting a string of second places. Down the fleet places changed in every leg but best results were not always guaranteed.
Race 4 saw Tim take the lead with faster downwind pace and lead to the finish. As previous races the finishing order wasn't clear even on the last leg to the finish places changed. Jon Moon (84) was pleased to get a third place.
With the wind dropping completely the morning break was taken after race 5, which saw Tim log another first place. At the break Jamie led Tim by one point. Roger Gibbs (32) led Charles Pegram (72) by one point. Racing as usual provided much practice with mark rounding and in light airs rule observance seemed even more a challenge with slow manoeuvring speeds.
A change of wind direction to NW after the break saw a course change. One buoy was eliminated turning the course into a windward/leeward layout. Race 7 saw Tim and Jamie match racing up the second beat unaware of Bob and Roger sailing in clear air and more pressure to take the lead and maintain this to the finish.
The wind was still light and a vote taken on one more race. The same course was used with Roger leading from the start. Jamie and Tim were vying for second; Jamie trying to cover Tim but with an unforced gybe for Jamie and a RRS 10 delivering a penalty Tim collected the second and Jamie after completing the penalty logged a fourth.
After 8 races and now no wind the mornings racing concluded with Jamie winning by one point to Tim and Roger third.
Our next Sunday racing is scheduled for the 18th February.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 51 | Jamie Blair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ‑3 | 1 | 3 | ‑4 | 9 |
| 2nd | 45 | Tim Townsend | ‑3 | ‑2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| 3rd | 32 | Roger Gibbs | 4 | 3 | ‑8 | ‑6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 20 |
| 4th | 76 | Bob Woolford | 2 | ‑7 | 7 | 7 | ‑9 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 23 |
| 5th | 613 | Andrew Nicholls | 5 | 4 | 6 | ‑9 | 5 | 4 | 5 | ‑7 | 29 |
| 6th | 72 | Charles Pegram | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 7 | ‑9 | ‑9 | 30 |
| 7th | 84 | Jon Moon | 7 | ‑8 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | ‑8 | 32 |
| 8th | 4 | Tony Alexander | ‑9 | ‑9 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 35 |
| 9th | 62 | Spencer Pope | 8 | 6 | ‑9 | 8 | 8 | ‑9 | 8 | 6 | 44 |