The course was set with a reasonable southerly wind, starting between the commando and ‘C’, then to ‘K’, ‘D’ and back to ‘C’ taking all buoys to port. Unfortunately the wind had almost died away for the first start, for 303s. That left the risk takers too far away to get back to the start line for the whistle, I reckon they’ll stay closer to the start line next week. By the time the Martins and 2.4s started the wind had filled in but moved round to the south south west. That was fortunate for the OOD because I forgot my phone with the handicap adjustments and started the faster boats with a 10 minute delay instead of 8. The five fast boats being the first five finishers. I’ll have a printed reminder next time!

The first lap was probably the most important of the race with the 303s and Liberty working hard to find and make use of the wind. Bob Fisher had been half way across the lake at the start whistle and actually started a few minutes after the whistle for the 303s. He made up for it by overhauling the boats ahead of him and was first to complete lap one. He was followed by Peter Gregory in a 2.4, despite the ten minute handicap, and then Steve Farmer.

By the end of the second lap the handicap had been unwound and the five fast boats, led by Peter Gregory, went through in the first five positions. That continued until the race finish.

When you look at the series results you’ll see that we now have enough competitors completing five races to be able to show provisional positions. Kim is in first position followed by Mike Blatchford and David Mason in equal second with a tie between Mark Cayzer and Peter Wagner for fourth. The scores between the boats are very close so its important to keep on plugging away to replace your highest scoring race with a lower number.  There are plenty of boats that haven’t completed five races yet but their scores to date indicate they’ll pop into a high position when they qualify. Not least is Peter Gregory who has four wins on the scoreboard.

Don’t forget to let me or Peter know if you’d like training or a different race format or any other changes.
Bob Marsh
bobmarsh1963@gmail.com

Result: 1.Peter G, 2.Mike, 3.Mark, 4.David, 5.Peter W, 6.Bob, 7.Steve, 8.Andy, 9.Fay, (Brian Retired)

It was good to see the turnout for racing and how close its all become on my return to Wealden.

The 9th was a pleasant sunny day with a changeable wind (how unusual) coming from the east. The start was between the pontoon and ‘K’ with buoy ‘D’ being dragged down to the far end of the narrows for the first mark, back to ‘C’ for the second mark and then down to ‘K’ again, rounding all marks to port.

I ran the race as I had in 2015, with a target length of 30 minutes and a starting sequence of 3, 2, 1, Go.  The details were on the race board but the change caused confusion, apologies for that. In future I’m happy to run the race for either 30 or 40 minutes using the IYRU starting sequence of 5, 4, 1, Go or the training 3, 2, 1, Go. Please let me know your preferences and I’ll follow the majority, subject to non-racing activity.

The wind picked up just before the 303s started and they set off in a bunch led by Brian followed by Steve, Mark, and Fay. The wind had dropped a little by the time the faster classes started but there was plenty of wind to drive them. The Martin and 2.4s all crossed the start line overlapping each other, very impressive. Brian held his lead for the first lap but Mark had overtaken Steve to get into second, followed by Steve. Peter Gregory had managed to recover most of his handicap, being the fourth person to complete the first lap.

The length of the lap and the wind strength meant that only two laps were completed.

It was noticeable that the boats towards the back of the fleet had their sails flapping more often and ventured into the low/no wind area under the trees approaching ‘C’. Remember if the water is flat there is probably no wind and the only time your sail should flap is slowing down to approach the pontoon to land. You won’t be disqualified for practicing before the race and if you want somebody to give you tips, ASK.

I’m not yet technically competent enough to update the series results but will do so. Enough of you have completed 5 races to see a pecking order emerge. The table will show where you stand in the series to date.

Finally I’m aware that a lot has gone on while I’ve been away. When Peter Ashwell returns I’m bound to hear what you’ve requested but please tell both of us what it is you want as its your race, we just watch.

Happy Sailing

Bob Marsh

Results: Peter Gregory, Mark, Peter Wagner, Mike, Steve, Bob, Brian, Andy, and Fay.

Thursday 2^nd June, temperature 11 degrees C, wind NNE gusting to 26 miles per hour. Not at all right for the first day of summer.

A challenging day for racing with very difficult wind conditions saw the race nearly cancelled by the Safety Officer. In the end we were allowed to race Access, Liberty and Martin but no 2.4’s or Stratos.

Race start was delayed until 11.50 because of difficulties getting client boats away from the pontoon. This was caused because of the difficult weather and the whole team being very short handed. However, we eventually got 7 boats way racing.

Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves despite the cold. The wind conditions certainly suited the Martin’s and Peter and David in the Liberty’s were both on great form.

Please accept my apologies for not getting the race results out on the day. This was caused because my race time sheet blew out of my hand and had to be retrieved from the Lake, tenderly dried out and then deciphered..!!

Well done all who competed!

Kind Regards

Nigel.

Result 1.David Mason; 2.Malcolm Hill; 3.Peter Wagner; 4.Mike Blatchford; 5.Bob Fisher; 6.James; 7.Fay Watson.

Unfortunately there isn’t actually a report for the 5th race of the Spring Series which took place on the 26th May, as the new Race Officer did not realise a full report was required. What can be reported is that yet again the weather was extremely fickle, with very little, or in fact no wind at various times, as well as the usual changes of direction that anyone who sails at Chipstead will be very familiar with….!!

Ed’s Note: Due to the light conditions, there were a couple of incidents of sailors miscalculating their rounding of the race marks. If the Racing Rules were enforced then a 360degree penalty turn should be made by the offending boat. But I’m sure everyone realises that in conditions like these any unnecessary change of direction is really not good! So the lesson of the day is make absolutely certain (maybe by giving the marks extra room) that you don’t touch any race mark…

Congratulations to Steve Farmer, who I’m told did such a great job on the day, leading the race from start to finish..

Result 1. Steve Farmer; 2. Peter W; 3. Bob Fisher; 4. Kim Sparkes; 5. Fay/James: DNF.

Racing today was enjoyed by 10 clients. Actually it was 11 if you include Pippa sailing with Mark Cayzer’s dad, but as neither is a Wealden client…sadly it doesn’t count!

Thanks to Allan and Eileen for helping with the marshalling and scoring.

What started as an encouraging morning turned into very difficult sailing conditions, with the wind shifting fully through 180 degrees and becoming very variable….down to no wind!

So the Race  Controller had to change the race course shortly before the race and then went round in the Race Control Boat and told all of the competitors of the change of course before the first Race Whistle was blown. It was necessary to do this because many of the competitors were already out on the water at 11:00 hrs and did not return to the pontoon before the start of the timing sequence at 11:25 hrs.  However, despite the  course change, everyone crossed the Start Line of the new course correctly and should have been fully aware of the changed course. Apologies to any Racer who were not clear with this, but in future if any of you are in doubt, please sail close to the Race Control Boat and check your understanding of the course.

Again as a result of the drop in the wind, it was necessary to shorten the race. This was requested by the Session Manager on the day because the Race was over-running lunch time. The Race Controller, in the race control boat, went around  the course notifying Racers that the course had been shortened and asked them to return to shore.  A number of competitors had already  been “whistled” across the Finish Line, thereby having finished after completing either one or two laps. But it was clear that some Racers were going to take a considerable time to reach the finish line and it was decided to tow them to shore.

EDITORS NOTE: Just to be clear, the way the race was finished this time is ACTUALLY how that type of race SHOULD be finished. The start time for each type of boat is set by calculating how much faster they are than the slower boat in front. So when the race time is up, you don’t wait for boats to cross a finish line, instead you mark them for the place/position they are in on the course  at that time. Any questions then please see Mike Coleman for an exlanation.

Having said all of that, most competitors did achieve two laps of the triangular course round  marks A, C and K with a clean start achieved by all but one boat.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and there was some great overtaking achieved in the fickle wind that provided some sailors with an, at times, almost unbelievable lift while those around them sat in the doldrums.

Congratulations to David Mason in the 2.4 who made light of the conditions and to Kim for a superb performance in the Access 303.

Result 1. David; 2. Kim; 3. Mark; 4. Bob; 5. Mike. 6; Ann; 7. Fay; 8. John; 9. Peter W; 10. Brian Mac.