Race Report: Wacky Races Summer 2: Race 5 (14/08/19)

Course: Lappock (p) – Beechams Bouy (p) – Finish. Wind: 3-10 knots SE -> S

Despite a few boats being absent on cruising duty there was an encouraging turn-out of 7 boats on Wednesday night. A particularly strong contingency of female racers were present and certainly from discussions on the water the spirit of the yachts they were on was lifted as a result. a made for a busy start A strong Mill rock buoy favoured line bias made for a busy and congested end of the start line.

Pasha skippered by commodore Carolyn Voisey sailed her first race of the year and despite what could only be described as a healthy beard of waterline weed they enjoyed an early 1905 start only to be chased down by the following pack towards Lappock and Beechams.

With the wind freshening shortly after the start and all other boats starting between 19:18 and 19:20 the fleet was fairly bunched together on the run to Lappock. Those flying their spinnakers gained some advantage toward the rock and Beechams thereafter with Crystal Clear rounding Beechams first followed by Hunters Moon with Storm shortly afterwards.
The fleet split at the leeward Beechams mark with Crystal

View astern from Gary and Carolyn Muir’s Petra with Victoria Proven and Andy Britten crewing

Clear and Storm electing to come inshore again to avoid the flood tide and take a slight hit on the wind strength. Hunters Moon led the remainder of the fleet west into a little more breeze but an increasing flood tide which ultimately was not the correct tactical choice.
For the first time this season the rain came in and visibility and light faded significantly which saw the latter half of the fleet finishing in dusk conditions with navigation lights etc on. Pasha and Lysa Blue decided enough darkness and rain had been endured and decided to retire.

Crystal Clear having adjusted her rig showed good speed down and up the course to take the win by seven and a half minutes on corrected time over Storm with Petra bringing in the last place on the podium for the evening.

Storm have already secured the series win as with 2 discards to count once all seven races are complete she has an unassailable lead- well done Iain Gairns, Kyle Steward and Jim Hood…… your handicap will be docked for the Autumn series!

Next race : Wednesday 21/08/2019; Wacky Series 2, race 6: 18.15 meet at TCC clubhouse as usual.

OOD: David Hutton.

Connor McGaughey
07779641503