If it was not hard enough already being a race officer, today Fi and her team had to factor in an oil spill training exercise going on in the harbour , with slow moving boats trawling an inflatable boom up and down the main channel, from 1.30 to 3.30. 

When we arrived at the club, the forecasted 5-12 knots of breeze was no where to be seen and despite the negativity in the boat yard John and I launched, as usual, an hour before the start, with the wind beginning to fill in.

The light and shifty southeasterly breeze filled in and the race team set the course.  23, Z, D, a - 4 laps.

17 fifteens lined up for the 1.30 start on a generously long line, but with the inflatable boom heading surprisingly rapidly our way.
The fleet was well spread out on the line. We started towards the pin, but the majority of the fleet were nearer the box and the leading group came in from that end, having headed off on starboard and tacking near to the lay line. We tacked a little before the lay line, keen to approach the mark on starboard and keeping a close eye on the trawling boom not far behind. Geof rounded first closely followed by Richard and guest helm Tom. We are not sure about the next few boats around as we were trying to avoid the “pile up” at the mark as the boats approaching on port tried to force their way in!

On the broad reach down to Z, we overtook a couple of boats and rounded on the heals of Graham, with Tom and Richard having overtaken Geof.

On the beat to Drake we had close racing with Graham and Geof and rounded in second well behind Tom and Richard but just in front of Graham. Geof had some issues with a couple of wayfarers who unfortunately arrived at the mark at the same time.

Graham had the edge down wind and overtook us to round Tregonwell in 2nd, with us a few boat lengths behind. The positions did not change on the second beat to 23 or reach down to Z. There was added tension and concern on the beat to Drake as we saw the X boat fleet coming from the Royal Motor direction and rounding Drake, fortunately also to Starboard.  Would we be able to find a gap ? Fortunately, we did and we were very relieved to navigate a good rounding at Drake just behind a group of 3 or 4 X boats and in front of another one approaching fast. Graham, who had temporarily slipped back to 3rd was initially not so fortunate and did not manage to get in front of the single X boat,  but it did not cause him any long term problems as he again went past us on the run to Tregonwell.  We did manage to hold off 3922 who were steaming up behind us. Please can everyone slow down on the runs.

There was no real opportunity to pass on the short beat to the finish, which although disappointing we could not overtake Graham was a relief that Martin and Peter were not able to overtake us, despite this meaning we had the honour of writing the report.

Congratulations to Tom and Richard and Graham and Homfray and thanks once again to the race team for another fantastic afternoon on the water.
 
1 – 4114 Tom & Richard
2 – 3934 Graham & Homfray
3 – 4016 Roberta & John
4 – 3922 Martin & Peter
5 - 3901 Steve & Peter
6 - 4088 Geof & Mark
7 - 4125 David & John
8 - 4025 Chris & Nadia
9 - 4036 Dick & Pete
10 - 3971 David & Frances
11 - 4027 Mike & Paul
12 - 4119 Tim & Edith
13 - 4020 Graham & Ben
14 - 4101 Crispin & Steve
15 - 4111 Mervyn & Ron
16 - 4019 Steve & Rob
17 - 3966 Richard & Alan