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)
Bob
Many thanks as always for your support. As I did once before I thought it appropriate to report on what actually happened. Normally I get a true view from the back of the field, but yesterday was a little different. However in order to put the race in its true perspective I wanted to highlight a couple of traumatic events that occurred in the week building up to the race.
The previous week my daughter, her boyfriend, our Labrador Oscar and myself had attended a village fete in Green Street Green, featuring a dog show. Now the previous week Mike Blatchford had warned us about his unruly Jack Russell Terrier and lo and behold there he was in front of me. In fact he was a bit of a pussy cat and no match for the terror that was to follow. Having sampled some of the food and drink, we were peacefully laying around when suddenly I was attacked by a huge slobbering beast. Having established the fetal position ( I read this is the best thing to do when being attacked by a bear) I took a chance and glanced up at …… Wait for it ……..Mike Coleman!!!! Now the slobbering beast (who actually wasn’t slobbering at all) turned out to be a friendly pet greyhound.
Having recovered from these two events I was in no fit state to race this week. So in order to calm myself down, earlier this week I took a pleasant stroll along Orpington High Street. Suddenly a commotion broke out, pedestrians and vehicles swerved all over the place to avoid some form of projectile hurtling down the high street. I personally dived in the gutter as I assumed we were the victims of some form of terror attack. The projectile turned out to be a fast moving pedal cycle and as I watched it flash by, I just caught sight of a life jacket with the words ‘Mad Meg’. As I emerged from the carnage, my chances of going racing seemed very remote.
However on Thursday morning I found myself happily sailing around the lake and approaching the K buoy when suddenly I heard a whistle. My initial thought was that I had fallen asleep and missed the England Wales kick off. Butno it was the five minute warning for the 303 start back at C With virtually no wind I struggled back to the start and arrived about two minute after the race had started. Luckily Steve Farmer was heading in due East direction, I can only assume en route to Tesco’s. Fay and her crew (apologies I didn’t catch your name) had encountered some form of equipment failure and were swapping instructions with the control boat. Amazingly I found myself in the lead, which I held around K and was still ahead approaching C.. Suddenly I became aware of that all too familiar swishing noise an approaching boat makes just before it leaves you in its wake. I glanced across my starboard bow and caught site of a fast approaching 303 emblazoned on the skippers life jacket were those immortal words ………..Mad Meg, Aghhhhhhh! Luckily she wasn’t racing a politely waved me through, but by now my confidence was badly shaken. Still as I approached K at the end of the first lap i was still leading. Suddenly I heard what sounded like the faint roar of a marine engine and the distinct smell of diesel fumes. In a flash a red 2.4 shot by and the noise and smell abated, probably just a coincidence huh? As I turned around K I was suddenly surrounded by four or five fast moving boats. Mike Blatchford his face showing the same tenacity as his faithful Jack Russell amongst them. Now at this point I wanted to remark upon sailing etiquette. As I was cut to pieces by the flotilla, I sensed hostile abuse and shouts of Port (or was it starboard) and Water. I quite fancied a Coca Cola but nobody was offering. But as Peter Wagner passed me he gave me his customarily smile as he does every week, As the flotilla passed D I noticed that Peter had stopped, I can only assume to politely let the others through. Other that I didn’t see a sole. Steve Farmer who by now had returned from Tesco’s reported that Brian had been sailing really well and flying along, unfortunately in the wrong direction. As I approached the finishing line, I sensed that horrible swishing sound. surely Farmer wasn’t going to pip me at the post . I sensed how upset he would be when I made him walk home. But no it was Peter in the red 2.4 who had decided to lap me.
So congratulations to Peter on a great victory. In order to ensure closer racing in future I would like to suggest the following.
James are you still open to taking bribes when allocating boats at the start.? If so how much?
Random testing of boats for concealed engines
Mad Megs bicycle banned from Orpington High Street
As always many thanks to all you guys for looking after us so well. It truly is great fun. I hope no one is offended by my commentary, particularly any dogs involved.
I am woefully confused. The race report seems to have Martins (plural, so at least two) starting, but the series results have no Martins finishing on June 16. Where did they go? I think they might have finished second and third, but who am I to say? I was just skulking in the bilges of a 2.4, so couldn’t see a thing.
D’
on
David,
Don’t worry you’re not going mad. It’s just that when the Overall Series Table was created, it was expected (maybe foolishly) that everyone would race in the same class of boat throughout the season. Going by those who took part in Race 8 and from my memory of who is sailing in the Martin’s at the moment, it would have been Mike Blatchford (solo) and Mark Cayzer (with a crew) who were sailing the 2 Martin’s that day. So they are still on the results, just listed as being in different classes of boat.
Hope that makes some sense of things…..
Mike.