Your Race Controller for the day, Fleur Bryant, reports:

A blustery and cold day greeted all of those who came down to the lake last Thursday. So firstly, well done to all of you hardy souls who took part in the 7th Race of the Summer Series since the conditions clearly showed us that Summer is fast disappearing.  Secondly, thank you for your patience during the delayed starting sequence to allow for some additional racers, it was much appreciated.

Once we got going, everyone took a keen approach to the start which was great to see. Make sure you remember your rules before the race as well as during it. Well done to the Racer who was a little too keen at the starting gun and was over the start line but spotted this and ducked down to clear the line. A good decision as the amount of time lost was minimal versus being called out by the Race Controller, having to turn around further up the beat and then sail back to cross the Start Line again.

The windy conditions continued during the first lap, but with everyone coping well with the conditions, it led to it being very competitive particularly between the 2.4s and the Martin. David Mason led at the first mark but was closely followed. Mark Cayzer had a brilliant first lap leading the Access fleet but again was closely followed by Kim Sparkes.

The wind dropped during the 2^nd Lap which slowed the lap times down and led to much more manageable conditions. There was also a lovely battle between some of the Access and Liberty helms.

By the time the leaders were on Lap 3, the conditions continued from Lap 2, which I’m sure was a relief all round. The competitive racing continued with a number of bunches of boats at different points on the race course with places changing regularly.

Well done to everyone, it was a really great race. Following an invitation from David McKee, we were joined for the day by Joff McGill, the new RYA – the top dinghy sailing authority in the UK – Sailability UK Manager and Sarah Sibley, the RYA Disabled Development Officer for London and the South East. They both said they thoroughly enjoyed their day with Wealden Sailability (WS) and commented on the friendly, relaxed but safe atmosphere, and that it was really nice to meet so many people involved and to hear what they got out of sailing (and volunteering) with WS.

The progress you have all made is fantastic. Keep trying to remember your rules when you are on the water. If you have any questions about any further progress you want to make, just grab a volunteer. If they don’t know the answer, they will send you on to somebody who does.

The Final Result:

1. Mike Blatchford – 2.4
2. Martin Norman – Martin
3. David Mason – 2.4
4. Mark Cayzer (and Bruce Hebbert) – 303
5. Malcolm Hill – Martin
6. Kim Sparkes – 303
7. Fay Watson (and Rick Atkinson) – 303
8. Bill Garry – Liberty
9. Steve Farmer – 303
10. Peter Gregory – Venture
11. Lisa Holland – 303

Louise Fisher in her 303 DNF.

As low, dark clouds scudded above their heads, threatening to drop their load at any moment but bringing stronger winds, WS Racers had another great day on the water, racing around the course which they know quite well now since we have raced with westerly winds over the last few weeks . Fortunately after last week’s light breeze, the prevailing wind blew at a steady 12 knots which enable the helms to work out how to get round the course – even if quite a few of them were often tricked by the wind direction as it veered WNW and backed WSW at times.  This was especially notable for many, as we watched their efforts to sail through the Start/Finish Gate. By not achieving a lay line to get them trhough the Gate and then realising it, but not wanting to put in another Tack, they ended up head to wind as they tried to sneak inside either Mark K (on starboard Tack) or the distance Mark (on Port Tack).  It was great to see Kim in the Race and to welcome Louise and Anne to WS Racing for their first time! Hope you both enjoyed yourselves. More to follow…

A good fight downwind to Mark D

The Red Torpedo – really trying

The leaders battling it out

The Final Result:

1. David Mason in a 2.4
2. Mark Cayzer (and John Douglas) – 303
3. Martin Norman – Liberty
4. Fay Watson (and James Thomas) – 303
5. Peter Gregory – 2.4
6. Rachel Ibbott (and Jane) – 303
7. Anne Chester (and Helen Fairfax) – 303
8. Kim Sparkes (and Louise) – 303
9. Malcolm Hill (and Mark Coleman) – Martin
10. Steve Farmer – 303
11. Paul Hagan (with Bruce Hebbert) – Venture
12. Mike Blatchford – Liberty
13. Peter Wagner – Liberty

There was hardly sufficient wind to ruffle the surface of Chipstead Lake when the first volunteers arrived to rig and launch the fleet of Wealden Sailability’s dinghies and safety craft last Thursday. The forecast was for a gentle breeze of 6 to 7 knots from the West, backing to the South-west and South later in the day. As can be seen from this photograph,

The calm before the Race

taken just before the start of the race at 11:30 AM, the 10 Helms who had gathered to do battle were in for a gentle ride – with lots of potential for frustrating moments when deciding whether to tack…or not…Yes, I’ll tack…just done it….oh no…look where the wind has moved to now! Arrgggh!!! (And I thought that sailing is a sport that enables folk to get away from it all and relax! Ed.)  Nevertheless, there they were: two 2.4s (108 is still being repaired), two Liberties, a solitary Martin and five double-handed 303s milling around on the millpond.  The bigger and faster boats were close up to the start line whilst most of the 303s were hanging back. This resulted in an exhortation over the tannoy from Race Control for them to get closer.  The Gong for the start sounded but regrettably the wind conditions were such that those Helms in the fleet furthest away from the start line, were still struggling to get over the start line 5 minutes into the race.  But back at the front of the fleet, we didn’t have to wait long for a bit of action. Surely like last week we couldn’t have had a clear front runner, streaking away from the pack. There was just insufficient wind. No, that’s right. Nobody was moving very fast. In fact, one boat was moving so slowly on port tack that it was not able to avoid two other boats on starboard tack. So we had our first collision – which took place pretty much on the Start Line! (Hang on. I didn’t see any 720 penalty turns. Have the rules changed? Ed) But WS Racers being such a nice bunch of people, they just sorted themselves out and got on with it. (Well done, chaps! Ed.)  However the two innocent parties to this incident must have been slightly concerned when they saw the other party apparently disappearing into the distance and building a sizeable lead – as can be seen here…

Brian Mac makes the most of nice Messrs Gregory and Mason

Because of the light wind and the self -imposed 50 to 75 yard penalty (as described above), many boats in the fleet struggled on the initial Tack up to Mark B. Even the Red Torpedo, helmed by the skilful and fit Peter “Hand-cycle” Gregory, appeared to stand still in the water at times. But gradually, Peter and the front runners crept closer to the windward Mark.  Just after Peter rounded it, some 50 yards in the lead, the breeze picked-up and that helped his pursuers to finish the upwind leg and get around Mark B.  But that very same gust helped to propel the Red Torpedo away from the clutches of David Mason (2.4), Kelly Tripp and her crew Di (303D), Brian Mac (Martin) and Lisa Holland and her crew Sue Ives (303D), downwind towards Mark C and onwards to the Leeward Mark. And by the time the front-runners of this group had managed to get to Mark C, Peter Gregory was rounding the LeewardMark (which was a temporary Flag 150 yards due East of the middle of the start line). (There is just no slowing him. Is there? Ed.) 

In fact, Race #5 seemed to be split into a race between the 2.4s and a separate race involving the others. As can be seen from the three photos below, Peter Gregory demonstrated the impressive performance which he manages to get out of the Red Torpedo.

Stratos 3, helmed by our very own, highly experienced sailor, Bob Marsh, crossed the Start/Finish Line, to complete his first lap, 3 seconds ahead of Brian Mac in his Martin who crossed the line at the end of his first lap, 8 seconds before Peter Gregory arrived at the very same spot on the Lake to complete his second lap. What to do when confronted by two big boats apparently blocking your path? The answer can be seen in the photos – you just sail straight between them and say “Bon voyage, mis amis!”  (So how come he still came 2nd? Ed.) 

Red Torpedo Over/Undertaking – Stage 1

Red Torpedo Over/Undertaking – Stage 2

Red Torpedo Over/Undertaking – Stage 3

It was this level of sailing that enabled Peter to complete three laps at 9 mins 45 sec per lap – whilst the fleet managed 18 to 29 minutes for a single lap. Not that they weren’t trying, they were very competitive with some close racing, but the conditions were very, very tricky and there were reports that some boats suffered dreadfully from having picked up large bundles of weed around their keels and rudders. (Nobody can sail with  such drag or stopping them steering. Can they? Ed.) So WELL DONE to all you WS Racers for sticking to your guns and a big THANK YOU as always to the volunteers for crewing and for helping those boats that had the weed problems and had steered themselves into trouble. (See grouching below!! Ed.)

A difficult moment for Fay

Close quarter racing

Final Result

1. David Mason in a 2.4
2. Peter Gregory – 2.4
3. Kelly Tripp – 303D
4. Fay Watson – 303D
5. Mark Cayzer – 303D
6. Lisa Holland – 303D
7. Brian Mac – Martin
8. Peter Wagner – Liberty
9. Rachel Ibbott – 303D
10. Martyn Norman – Liberty