7 ILCA 7s and 7 ILCA 6s took to the water on a mild Sunday morning. The SW wind was 10-14 knots when we launched but more was forecast, leading to Hywel and Neil chickening out and sailing an RS400

Peter Loretto took note from Bob at the AGM and set us course 136 with Rebbecks as the 1st mark.  After the race team was told that Cake may not be in the water, a rib was despatched to check the situation and discovered it was missing.

By the time we started the pin was the favoured end. Ann had a great start and tacked onto port easily clearing the fleet. However the wind was shifting all over the place and there were big gains and losses on the way to the first mark. Andrew H managed to upset both Ann and I within a few yards. Having let Ann cross on port he slammed a tack on-top of me forcing me to tack off. He then reached over the top of Ann giving her plenty of dirty air. Iain and David came in from opposite sides of the course and had a good lead over the rest of the fleet. Having been forced left, by my helpful husband it was looking good but all went wrong at the mark, with Col and I pointing in the same direction but on opposite tacks. Andrew had sneaked round clear in 3rd and was followed by Ann, Alan, Col, Donald and then me.

The reach to Morris lane was gusty. Iain and David stayed in front, though I am not sure Iain knew where the mark was and went far too high and had to run down to the mark before suffering gear failure and returning to the shore.

After a short spell on port David hit hard left and was well in front at Wych followed by Andrew and Alan. Having rounded Morris Lane ahead of Ann I went right and Ann left. Right was good at the start but it evened up at the end of the beat. Donald was 4th round, followed by Col then me, Bob and Ann. I went high to start with but having spotted Hutchins reached down with the gusts, overtaking Col and catching Donald. Bob pulled through to follow Donald round the mark. I managed to gybe after a little hesitation with my boom reluctant to come across and then avoided the cruiser coming from the left. Col was not as fortunate and capsized in front of Ann.  

We had a good broad gusty reach down to the missing Cake which had been replaced by a rib flying mark M.  I am told we should all have known what this meant! I followed Donald and Bob around the rib with Ann very close behind.

The next beat to Piccadilly was a little one sided. Andrew closely followed by Alan had overtaken David by the mark with Bob, me then Donald.

By now the gusts were increasing in strength though fortunately not changing direction too much.  Bob decided to take a swim.

Alan went left downwind and managed to overtake Andrew who had gone right and under the island.  Andrew claims to have mistaken a channel mark for Brindle and this is the reason Alan stayed in front!

I was fortunate to reach Parkstone Dental in a little lull and got my gybe in just before the wind picked up. Ann and Donald were not quite so fortunate but did mange to get round safely with Bob close behind having recovered from his capsize.

After a hairy reach to Brindle we had the final very windy beat to the finish with the skies over towards the top triangle looking very dark and threatening.

We all got to the line safely but none of us were block to block.

The wind continued to increase as we ran back towards the shore. Most of us tacked round, having learnt how to do this watching Chris last week. Simon and Bob tried to gybe but both capsized . As we got into the marina the wind continued to increase and the rain came in.

It was a real team effort to get everyone ashore with boats being blown all over the place.

With 40 knots of wind and poor visibility  Bob, Col, Andrew and Simon went out in ribs to assist with the effort getting everyone safely back ashore, though with at least one broken mast and several muddy sails.  Everyone had plenty to talk about in the changing rooms and bar.

For the results I managed to hold off Ann, followed by Simon and then Rob.
Alan got the better of Andrew on the final beat followed by David, Bob , Col and Donald.

A great morning’s race. Thanks to the race team.

Roberta. ILCA6. 216654