Post by bertfatal on Jul 3, 2010 14:57:34 GMT
The gates opened at Cotswold Sailing Club on Friday afternoon for the early arrivals to park their boats and pitch their tents. For those who have not visited this picturesque club, it has a very large and well kept grassy area on the far side of the lake opposite the club house with plenty of room for large tents and campervans/caravans. Near the club house there is a peninsular that juts out into the lake providing both plenty of dinghy parking and launching areas with shelving banks into the clear water. The club is very friendly, has good changing rooms, at least the men’s was nice!
The weather was perfect for beer and BBQs in the evening but the temperature dropped rapidly after the sun went down causing Tim to complain about the cold overnight. However, it didn’t seem to have had a detrimental effect on his performance next day! The weather on Saturday was more of the same with much sun-cream being used.
During the briefing by the Race Officer on the Saturday morning, we were warned about the shallows behind one of the islands and the unusual and heavy weed growth in many parts of the lake this season.
Race 1
At the start of the first race the wind was light at about 3-5kts but relatively steady. Tim, Laura and Roger quickly pulled out a lead which was never challenged. Myself and Tony equally quickly found ourselves squabbling over last place struggling with weed on our rudders. In the mid field Mark and Elaine pulled away from the back markers splitting the race into 3 distinct groups. Over the line Tim finished ahead of Laura and then Roger. In the post race analysis the general consensus was that Laura’s Topper rudder was the weapon of choice in the weedy conditions, it being the easiest rudder to raise and lower quickly.
Race 2
After a magnificent lunch provided by Lisa and her helpers, Race 2 began in even lighter winds. Having gained some experience in the previous race, several of the competitors elected to sail with rudders at “half mast” making weed shedding much less of an issue. Mark started well and was first around the first mark, however it was not long before Tim, Roger and Laura managed to get past and pull away: finishing 1st this time was Roger followed by Tim and Laura keeping all three sailors within a couple of points of each other. Now weed-free Mark’s old boat, “Painted Lady”, began to show her light wind ability and worked her way into 4th place. Elaine and Tony were not far behind and somehow after his flying start Mark ended up last!
Race 3
In race 3 Mark kindly lent his “brand new this season” boat “ASBO” to local sailor to try out and unselfishly stayed on the committee boat for the duration of the race with a cool box of alcoholic beverages. After the start Tim and Roger lead the way with myself in 3rd. After a couple of marks they had established a comfortable lead and started forcing each other all over the lake. This allowed me to sneak up the inside and briefly lead the race. However it did not take long for them to restore the pecking order and I was back down in 3rd within ½ a lap. They continued to battle all the way to the finishing line with Tim taking line honours. Laura came in 4th, Elaine was 5th and Tony was 6th.
Race 4
The last race followed on from race 3; Mark was back on the water but in “Painted Lady” with “ASBO” being piloted by me. I have to say I did not do the boat justice and ended up finishing last losing out to Laura on the last beat. The winds were again light and shifty and yet Tim and Roger seemed to have no trouble pulling out a large lead no matter what the wind decided to do: some people are sooo lucky! Elaine did not take part in the last race as she had suffered an equipment failure in the previous race so the field was down to 6. Tony had his best result of the day with a solid 3rd and with Mark in “Painted Lady” coming home 4th. Laura was 5th and “ASBO” and me last, just proving that a carbon mast does not make up for poor technique.
The final results are below:
1st 846 Tim Davidson 1211
2nd 880 Roger Witts 3122
3rd 700 Laura Honey 2345
4th 817 Richard Keefe 6436
5th 850 Elaine Laverty 555dnc
6th 756 Tony Latham 7663
7th 872 Mark Wiltshire 67dnc4
It was slightly disappointing that more BM’s were unable to take part but in spite of this everyone had an excellent time. We have been invited back next year and I would urge everybody who can to come down and sail at this very friendly club.
On behalf of all the racers I would like to say a big thank you to all the members of the Cotswold Sailing Club for inviting us to use their facilities and especially to Steve and his race team, and Lisa and the kitchen team! See you next year.
Race report compiled by Richard Keefe.
P.S. Has anyone seen my mobile phone? (a Samsung something or other)
The weather was perfect for beer and BBQs in the evening but the temperature dropped rapidly after the sun went down causing Tim to complain about the cold overnight. However, it didn’t seem to have had a detrimental effect on his performance next day! The weather on Saturday was more of the same with much sun-cream being used.
During the briefing by the Race Officer on the Saturday morning, we were warned about the shallows behind one of the islands and the unusual and heavy weed growth in many parts of the lake this season.
Race 1
At the start of the first race the wind was light at about 3-5kts but relatively steady. Tim, Laura and Roger quickly pulled out a lead which was never challenged. Myself and Tony equally quickly found ourselves squabbling over last place struggling with weed on our rudders. In the mid field Mark and Elaine pulled away from the back markers splitting the race into 3 distinct groups. Over the line Tim finished ahead of Laura and then Roger. In the post race analysis the general consensus was that Laura’s Topper rudder was the weapon of choice in the weedy conditions, it being the easiest rudder to raise and lower quickly.
Race 2
After a magnificent lunch provided by Lisa and her helpers, Race 2 began in even lighter winds. Having gained some experience in the previous race, several of the competitors elected to sail with rudders at “half mast” making weed shedding much less of an issue. Mark started well and was first around the first mark, however it was not long before Tim, Roger and Laura managed to get past and pull away: finishing 1st this time was Roger followed by Tim and Laura keeping all three sailors within a couple of points of each other. Now weed-free Mark’s old boat, “Painted Lady”, began to show her light wind ability and worked her way into 4th place. Elaine and Tony were not far behind and somehow after his flying start Mark ended up last!
Race 3
In race 3 Mark kindly lent his “brand new this season” boat “ASBO” to local sailor to try out and unselfishly stayed on the committee boat for the duration of the race with a cool box of alcoholic beverages. After the start Tim and Roger lead the way with myself in 3rd. After a couple of marks they had established a comfortable lead and started forcing each other all over the lake. This allowed me to sneak up the inside and briefly lead the race. However it did not take long for them to restore the pecking order and I was back down in 3rd within ½ a lap. They continued to battle all the way to the finishing line with Tim taking line honours. Laura came in 4th, Elaine was 5th and Tony was 6th.
Race 4
The last race followed on from race 3; Mark was back on the water but in “Painted Lady” with “ASBO” being piloted by me. I have to say I did not do the boat justice and ended up finishing last losing out to Laura on the last beat. The winds were again light and shifty and yet Tim and Roger seemed to have no trouble pulling out a large lead no matter what the wind decided to do: some people are sooo lucky! Elaine did not take part in the last race as she had suffered an equipment failure in the previous race so the field was down to 6. Tony had his best result of the day with a solid 3rd and with Mark in “Painted Lady” coming home 4th. Laura was 5th and “ASBO” and me last, just proving that a carbon mast does not make up for poor technique.
The final results are below:
1st 846 Tim Davidson 1211
2nd 880 Roger Witts 3122
3rd 700 Laura Honey 2345
4th 817 Richard Keefe 6436
5th 850 Elaine Laverty 555dnc
6th 756 Tony Latham 7663
7th 872 Mark Wiltshire 67dnc4
It was slightly disappointing that more BM’s were unable to take part but in spite of this everyone had an excellent time. We have been invited back next year and I would urge everybody who can to come down and sail at this very friendly club.
On behalf of all the racers I would like to say a big thank you to all the members of the Cotswold Sailing Club for inviting us to use their facilities and especially to Steve and his race team, and Lisa and the kitchen team! See you next year.
Race report compiled by Richard Keefe.
P.S. Has anyone seen my mobile phone? (a Samsung something or other)
