Wednesday Evening Race 8
The start of Race 8 looked more like a Dehler open meeting than a club race with 4 Dehlers on the line. With some of the usual contenders seemingly suffering from Regatta Hangover and a light breeze forecast the numbers were down . Nevertheless 8 boats started and all but one finished in the light North / North Westerley. A downwind start and a 20 degree wind shift caused a few problems at the start as yachts tried to launch their kites and found they were headed. However the wind soon swung back again. Musical was first over the line closely followed by Valkyrie. Kites were launched and there was the usual battle to stop boats from behind overtaking whilst trying to find clear air. The leading bunch of Dehlers – Valkyrie, Zephros and Wizard followed by Musical broke away from the rest of the fleet as they headed into Gillingham Reach towards the leeward mark at buoy 26 .
Valkyrie was first around the mark and made could gains to windward arriving at the windward mark buoy 31A with a reasonable lead despite having to use a piece of 4×2 to steer with. The crew suggested Joe helmed it better than with a wheel ! Zephros and Wizard were having a good battle upwind but the top 4 places didn’t change on the 1st leg. There was then a run down to Buoy 29 and a beat home. The wind died allowing Musical to make gains on the Dehlers although Valkyrie appeared well ahead and took Line honours. However on handicap Musical was close enough to win overall with Valkyrie second.
Further down the fleet the boats slowed in the dying breeze but the flooding tide brought them safely home. It was pleasing to see the squib Monkey Business complete the course in its first outing.
Full results on the result page.
Next Wednesday is the last series race and prizegiving with sponsor prizes and a glut of wine to be awarded if you have competed in 6 races or more. Lets have a bumper turn out !
Mike