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[USE BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO MAIN MENU] "Coleman" Poole-Lymington and Lymington - Poole Weekend Coleman Marine Insurance
Class 1 and 2 Passage Series A Results - below
Class 3 Passage Series A Results - below Thanks to Fiona from Saltmead for the following report :- The
Coleman Marine Insurance Races 2, 3 and 4
This
was the first PYRA passage race of the season and a large entry list
confirmed what a popular event this is. With thoughts of last year of
an idyllic sail up with a horrendous sea sick return, the fleet
gathered. Parkstone organised a rib so that ALL boats could compete
for the start and our thanks to Andy for leading us out to East Loe
buoy. Some had forgotten that the tide was foul on the way out and so
were a little late (No names - Zorra).
They
need not have worried, due to no wind Andy suggested a move to Light
Wave, it was very light there too. We then motored towards the East
hoping for some breeze. We were obviously an intimidating sight as
the fisherman moved out of the armada’s way. The result no wind.
Mark
Taylor on Ear to Absurdity decided to entertain the fleet by wake
boarding behind his boat. Fair play to you Mark for keeping it up so
long (no comments please) North Head came and went and racing was
abandoned for the day. We then all headed for the Dan Bran pontoon
where all 25 boats could all be easily accommodated
So
to the Rendezvous. Sadly our social Sec Theresa could not make it due
to her husband requiring a trip to hospital – hope you have
recovered Clive but it is supposed to happen after the Rendezvous not
before. The booking was brought back to 18.00, sorry Keith, as the
pub was supposed to be quieter and to allow more drinking time. It’s
just a shame that despite a telephone call on the Wed. and a visit at
15.00 on the day to warn them of at least 50 people coming in all at
once they could only manage two bar staff. The groan from other
customers when Keith started his order with “25 pints of Ringwood”
set the tone. Again many thanks to PYRA’s captain and sponsor for
the event for the beer. Various large tables were assembled and the
party commenced. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves I know we did.
A
leisurely start the next morning again with no wind made another half
hour postponement but the fleet did get away. Two ladies, Eclipse and
Saltmead did try to stop their skippers from racing but in the end
they came out to play and with the benign conditions they did enjoy
it. A hard beat to windward which actually with the tide running
strong was not quite so hard. Then a beat to Lymington Bank with
Saltmead running some fine lines (Fiona on the helm) overhauling
Fraid Seau Eclipse and Benny the Ball, round the mark spinnakers
raised and Saltmead lost their hard won ground. However this did mean
we could watch Roger working so hard to get his spinnaker to fly -how
many wraps can you get !!!!!! Any way all boats managed a finish and
it was on against a foul tide for the 15.00 homeward run.
The
Return Home
On
the 5 minute gun we had two hundred yards to go a nice little breeze
no problem. Cut the engine and we were in for a classic start. WRONG.
Three minutes to go and we are 15 yards short of the line on a beat.
Shebeen 10 yards ahead with Spinnaker in tight trying to make
something of the light airs and the race officer kindly extends the
start limit time by 5 mins. Much shouting from Shebeen as Genoas are
hoisted in a final desperate attempt to get over the line. Starboard
is called and we are all twenty yards from the line. The race officer
calls time and its all over. Vertigo, Shebeen and Saltmead had done
exciting pirouettes around each other whilst going backwards and
retired gracefully. Benny the Ball then called up to say he had a
leak on his stern gland could he have a tow and back Saltmead went to
tow him home.
On
the way back the retirements came in thick and fast as the wind
gradually died on all the boats. Zorra I believe stuck it out until
20.00 hours with two miles to go but with more foul tide against him
and an early start next day Mark finally threw in the towel. Mark you
could have retired earlier as Ken in Shebeen had not even made the
start line.
Sorry
about those of you at the front but we can’t see your actions from
the back.
A
good week end was had by all despite the lack of wind and hopefully
we will all be back for more. Many thanks again to our sponsor -
Keith Lovett
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