January 7th Racing- Laser First Sunday

Yesterday was of course Laser 1st Sunday, and 9 Lasers along with a Contender, ISO, Solo and 2 400s braved the near freezing NNE force 4 ‘moderate breeze’ (it didn’t look moderate to me) to continue the winter series round 10,2,9,11,1.

I’m not sure the leaders enjoyed being sent on for the full 3 laps, taking between 40 - 48 minutes. The others were shortened at lap 2 so the 2nd race could be set up as soon as possible. Temperatures got the better of 5 DNS and 2 further retirees in the 2nd race, which was limited to just 2 laps at popular request.

2 more bullets for Pete Edel, and mentions in despatches for Harry Baldwin and Simon Whitfield, among the 7 staying the course right to the end. Harsh handicaps took their tolls on the scores for the asymmetrics who looked spectacular flying down the reaches.

Good turnout for duties this week. With temperatures down around 2-3deg, there were plenty of volunteers to help in the race office and even in the safety boat. So, thanks to all, mainly Andrea on the Sailrace app and Tuka, Pete (B) & Imogen on safety. The results were posted as usual, you know where to look - https://www.kgsc.org.uk/202324-winter-series

Brrrrrr!!.....

Two new boats and sprint racing with LWC

Commodore Pete’s new boat

14 turned out today in the SSW breeze, in spite of the cold temperatures. 2 races, both about 45 minutes for the leaders round 1 - 5 - 9 - 11 - 0 – A. Bob seemed to like it, managing 2 bullets for his efforts. Pete was trying out his new laser, and James in his new Solo closed an early gap to challenge Vince to a bit of a close finish in race 1. Stephen finished right behind the Solos, winning over on PY in his Radial. From the cadets who joined in today, young Leo made a creditable 7th in his Topper. Check out the scores here.

We also saw the first Sprint Races hosted by LWC. Great to see this initiative coming into play, with the hope of many more sailors joining us in normal racing straight after.

January 8th Racing

Very windy and it reminded me why I don’t like sailing in single figures (less than 10 Deg). A broken mast for Tim, a damaged boat for Jon and you don’t often see Vince taking a dip. Anyway, scores on the doors here as usual.

New Years Day- Dragon Pursuit Race 2023

Another 90 min pursuit race today, the King George Dragon, tempted 8 boats to shrug off any hangovers or excess mince pies and take to the water. Two Toppers, 5 Lasers and a Contender.

Oliver and Imogen set off at -18 followed by James & Leo in Radials, Pete & Jon in Fulls and finally Rodger at +14. Sailing round 1, 4, 9, 11, 10 in a gusty SSW force 4 sadly proved too much for Imogen whose hopes were dashed early in round 1. Rodger too found himself back on the jetty before the end of round 2.

James was on fire today, although not passing Oliver until round 5, finally going on to complete 6 laps, still 2 minutes ahead of Pete, who also passed Oliver, but not until the 6th and final lap.

Leo’s form from the White Elephant failed him today in 4th place followed by Jon 5th. Simon sailing R2 was late for his start after helping the Cadets launch.

Check out the results here. Back to series racing next week, including the next round of Laser First Sunday.

Happy New Year to all.

Boxing Day- White Elephant Pursuit Race 2022

White Elephant Pursuit Race 2022

So today we had our annual White Elephant Pursuit Race. Results here. Great pics above from Emma, thank you.

Lovely dry and bright day, force 3, but 90 Minutes was quite long enough in the cool 5deg temperature. Personally, I thought the race box was a good place to be and just watch everyone else out on the water.

90 Minutes of course for the Solo, had there been any, but there were 2 young men from the cadet fleet sailing toppers who needed to start 18 minutes earlier, so a long old race for them.

Harry & Mathias set off at -18, then 21 minutes later (Solo+3) for Leo (Laser) and Tuka (Wayfarer), another 10 minutes for Jon/Blake (Merlin), then Rodger (Contender) followed by Tim/James and Chris/Gary (400s at Solo+16).

Leo took the lead from the Toppers in the 3rd lap, and the win after 4½ laps (2-10-4-0-A) was never in any doubt. Rodger was being harassed by Chris/Gary by the end, but the contest to watch was between Jon/Blake & Tim/James. Tim had all but caught Jon by the end of lap 3, but Jon luffed and shut Tim out at the downwind mark. Jon pulled out a slight lead up the next beat to 2, then the asymmetric 400 sailed faster but higher than the Merlin who managed lower and shorter, and so remained ahead at 10. Jon held Tim off for another Lap and was still ahead at the final whistle. Among the cadets, Mathias picked up a penalty for missing out the A mark in laps 3 & 4 and so gifted his 6th place to Harry.

Thanks to Karen, Pete and Emma for turning out to cover duties in the race office and Safety boat today.

See you all in the new Year, 12:30, for the King George Dragon Pursuit.