With light winds forecast for the weekend, it looked like it would be difficult for the more generously proportioned Phantom sailors to keep up with the svelte racers. However wind-pessimist thankfully got the forecast wrong and a good breeze kicked in around midday on Saturday. Four races were run with a break in the middle for some sustenance (food without beer, honest....)
Race one started in the trickiest conditions of the day as classic Rollesby conditions tested the fleets ability to find a quick route through the shifts. Matthew House decided to give his new HD sail a go and was quick to learn how to make it go fast. One poor helm(me) however looked more than a little line shy but was later heard to blame the mainsheet coming undone in the final minute before the start.
As the race progressed Matt stretched out a commanding lead prompting some to wonder whether his new sail was class legal. Local hopeful, Daren Pike, started the race well and chased Matt around using every skill at his disposal but couldn't catch him.
In race 2, Matt and Daren continued their duel with Matt once again pulling away from the chasing pack. Ian 'Windy' Miller found some extra boatspeed to grab 3rd place after his frustrating time in the first race. Chris Roberts decided to park his sail on the last mark but nimbly threw himself at the centreboard in time to get the boat back up. Rollesby nearly claiming it's first casualty of the day heralded a change in wind direction so the course was changed and a new start line set.
The start of race 3 again saw Daren employ his starting ability to great effect leading the pack up the first beat. Windy liked the new course and overhauled Daren to slip into 2nd place. Matt once again sailed fast and pulled out an unassailable lead.
The new course and wind conditions gave some of the best racing of the day in race 4. Matt had obviously become as bored with his dominance as everyone else had and decided to have a look at the goings on in the middle of the fleet. This left Daren racing against a new partner in Chris Roberts. Our hapless helm with the poor mainsheet knot however nearly hampered Daren's moment by capsizing at the gybe mark. “Words of encouragement” were shouted although I'm not sure I was in the f'ing way....
Saturday evening started with meat cooked by fire and beer followed by cake. Man's basic needs all satisfied, the tired sailors settled into chat and laughter while watching the light fade on the longest day.
Sunday dawned and the earlier ridiculed forecast decided to make an appearance. So a consensus was sought and all decided not to race. Well done to Matthew House on winning the event and many thanks to all who helped run the racing and catering.
Results are final as of 20:27 on June 23, 2014
Overall
Sailed: 4, Discards: 1, To count: 3, Entries: 6, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank SailNo Club HelmName R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Nett
1st 1432 RHYC Matthew House 1st 1st 1st (3rd) 6.0 3.0
2nd 1359 RBSC Daren Pike 2nd 2nd (3rd) 1st 8.0 5.0
3rd 1395 CSC Chris Roberts 3rd (5th) 4th 2nd 14.0 9.0
4th 1305 AWSC Ian Miller (5th) 3rd 2nd 4th 14.0 9.0
5th 1212 RBSC Chris Toothill 4th 4th 6th (5th DNF) 25.0 14.0
6th 1378 RBSC Jonathan Pulfer 6th 6th 5th (5th DNF) 28.0 17.0
