February 4th Racing - Monster Gusts for Laser/ILCA First Sunday

Well that was exciting, I haven't been that fast for ages! 14 Lasers/ILCA’s again, this time for Laser/ILCA First Sunday, which was fab and at least 5 different drivers from last week! Tim and James were in the RS400 too. Course was 2 , 4, 14, 11, (that's an 11 Gotta Go Gary!) 0, A. The start line was hotly contested, the first beat up to 2 was tricky and I never know whether to come in on port or starboard there - there's always more wind on the right, but you have to sail past the lay line (Princess Pete seems to have it sorted) will watch next time! The 400 rounded followed by Princess Pete, then me and Micky, Pete C, Ewan and Kevin all rounded together. There were lots of changes of position and a few swims along the way we finished me, Princess Pete, Micky, Corneille (in the ILCA 4) and Kevin (nice to see you back)! Second race saw a change of course with Gary’s 11 being replaced by 3 which lead to a great beat from 14. The first run claimed a few, a massive gust hit us and there was a bit of carnage it was a race to get boat up and away! The race carried on like this with some monster gusts coming to through to bring some amazing reaches and terrifying runs. The race finished me. Princess Pete, Corneille, Kevin and Pete C. Amazing da,y thanks to Bob and Stuart for R.O. and starting on time. And thanks to Tim L for safety cover.

Have a great week.

Cheers

Tony

January 28th Racing - Return of the Jedi - Tony Cooper

Amazing day thanks to race team, Stuart and Rodger for a prompt start (fastest I rigged my boat in years hahaha) 14 ILCA’s was epic I ain’t sailed for a while so brilliant to be back I'd still be out now if I could. We had some excellent and exciting racing the shifts were tricky to read Micky read em well and won the first race followed by me (Tony Cooper) then Princess Pete (you can't be Commodore Pete anymore hahaha). Not sure how everyone finished, but there was some close racing and photo finishes all round.

Second race same course and some tight racing again definitely a day to pick out the pressure not sure how we finished I'm sure Micky will be on the case! Brilliant day thanks everyone I'm on settee with a lovely warm glow (probably the red wine) have a great week.

Cheers Tony

January 21st Racing- Just one race today

After a cold Saturday for the King George Gallop, only a few intrepid went out for a single race. Video evidence below.

January 14th Racing

22 on the water this week, pretty good for such a cold day, largely boosted by strong turnouts from the WH/Wembley and Greig groups. The F3 WSW ‘gentle breeze’ was near perfect round 2,5,10,3,0,A. That F3 dropped off a little during race one, so with the leaders taking over 35 minutes, Tim wisely decided to shorten to just one lap. Stewart/Jack took line honours in their 400, but that harsh PY sent them reeling down to 14th. Pete(E) split the Solos of Dave & James on PY with Kai close on their heels.

2 laps for race 2, with several honourably retiring after realising they’d headed upwind from 10, missing out the A mark. Line honours for Rodger this time, relegated to 7th corrected, promoting the winners Pete(E), Cornielle, James & Colin.

Today’s start was almost on time, just a short delay trying to set a distance mark, with thanks to Tim & Theresa in the Race Office and Andy & Paul on Safety. We didn’t quite get the Sailrace app loaded properly in time for race 1, but race 2 analysis is available. The series summary is out in Sailwave as usual, you know where - https://www.kgsc.org.uk/202324-winter-series

King George Gallop next Saturday, enter on-line via the link in the KG website for member discount. If you’re not planning to compete, please consider helping the teams welcoming and launching our visitors.

Then it’s another 3rd Sunday Pursuit on Sunday. Ta-ta y’all…….

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!!.....