SPINNAKERS TO, AND FROM, THE SOLENT!
The Folly race has always been a favourite and the 2010
version was no exception. The Coleman Marine sponsored outing was the best of
recent times, as over 35 boat crews will testify.
The crews weren’t so enthusiastic at 9am on Saturday as they
gathered at the various clubs on a cold drizzly day, but their patience was
rewarded.
Out in the bay Ian Hayes gave instructions into a hand-held
stuffed under his coat, or so it seemed. As boats gathered Matt Hitt suggested
hitting his radio – ah clarity! The start was to a gate formed by the RIB. OK
so if the RIB goes faster than sail surely it makes sense to cross just before
the gate closes? It did too, but not before 90% of Class 3 had rounded Coleman
Marine close-to, several late arrivals amongst them. By the Class 1 and 2 start
most had it sorted – the only issue was timing to get across before the gate
shut.
Off we went on a beat to Vinyl Solutions before the
multitude of colourful kites as we reached for The Solent. The good northerly
(3-4) stood us in good stead although some bore-off to keep all flying. As the
wind veered kites came down and we close-reached, and later fetched, for the
line. That was until the tide turned against and the wind, all-but, died. PU
crept across – just, behind us a bunch of frustration.
A pontoon to ourselves was nice, a beer to celebrate was
nicer, and the cheering of the latecomers typical PYRA. Then we went ashore for
a great evening.
Keith (Captain Coleman) Lovett presided over the prize
giving where you only had to be there to win – a nice touch. Later, after a
good meal, the usual suspects were seen on the tables and Lilliput’s Ian Wall
entertained by pole dancing around a wooded support. All in all a great night.
The next day gave us a late start, as the tide wasn’t going Poole’s way until 3pm. Weary-headed crews appreciated the
time to recover. Some took advantage of a lovely full-English provided by The
Folly, some went for a walk, some took paracetamol, and some did all three!
Our planned start-times still had tide eastbound so a short
beat across The Solent enabled boats to creep close-in, under spinnaker, to the
mainland side after rounding the windward mark. By Hurst the tide had slackened and kites were
held by most to Poole Bay Buoy. Around four hours including a beat
north-eastwards and The Solent against the
tide – magic!
Many thanks to Coleman Marine, and The Folly Inn, they did
us proud!!
