Poole Harbour Guide
Midsummer Fun Race and Social.
Saturday 14th June was the
day of the PYRA fun race.
Despite a less than promising forecast
of very light winds, a good number of competitors turned out for a
race in Poole Bay. Chris Blackburn very kindly volunteered to set the
courses and for Solmate to act as committee boat for the day.
As we all gathered in the vicinity of
MDL Cobb's Quay for our start at 1400, a lively fifteen-knot breeze
sprang up from the southwest, perfect for the first beating leg into
Studland Bay. After rounding Politt Bureau it was off to BP Wych Farm
on the spinnaker run. After this, the classes split. 1 and 2 were
sent on a reach to Branksome, where most - if not all - held on to
kites. Classes 3 and 3A went on a tighter fetch to Poole Head. The
two fleets then merged back together on another beat to Swash 3 and
then it was back in through the harbour entrance taking in all the
usual twists and turns to finish on the Poole Yacht Club finish line.
All had an excellent day of racing. The
wind conditions and the unusual and challenging course set for us
could not have been better, well done Chris. Victorious on the day
were Beluga II in Class 1, Temaraire in Class 2, Uproar in Class 3 -
which was the best-attended class of the day - and Dream On in Class
3A.
As we came ashore the smell of yummy
barbecue food filled the air. Pork loins, beef-burgers and sausages,
all accompanied with a delicious salad. The Johns, Waters and
Withers, and their team had excelled themselves!
The evening was so well attended, that
it was possible to collect a finish time from every boat and
therefore hold a prize-giving ceremony. The worthy winners were
presented with a bottle of wine, courtesy of the organisers and
sponsor of the evening’s entertainment, John and Elaine Withers and
the Poole Harbour Guide.
After filling our tummies we settled
down in Poole’s clubhouse to listen to Icarus, a talented local
four-piece who soon had us all up ‘strutting our stuff’. When we
took a short break John and Elaine filled our glasses, suitably
refreshed off we went again.
There were some odd looks from Poole’s
staff as we continued to dance after 11.30, the band eventually
stopping at 11.55 - much to the relief of many PYRA members’ feet!
I’m sure everyone who took part on
the day, would agree that this is a race and social event that we
would very much like to see remain a part of the PYRA calendar for
years to come.
Matt Hitt.
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