October 29-30
Hamble was full of Corinthians again! All three J109's were out (High Tension - Geraldine Fabre, Doris J - Shaun Curran, Me Julie - Martin Richmond-Coggan), as well as X-Perience (David Harrison).
The past few weeks have led everyone to believe Winter Series is mild, sunny sailing. This weekend certainly changed that mind set. Oilies were out in force, as well as the life jackets. Saturday's weather was windy with a bit of sea state, gusting up towards 28 knots.
The J109's were out with two trainers. The crews were put through their paces with great focus on starts (Barry's whistle for those 3 minute countdowns, one has to love that sound). According to one skipper: 'I've never done over 20 starts in under three hours before!' Regardless of the exhausting work, everyone had great fun.
The Saturday practice race turned into a fun, friendly duel. Doris J was forced to retire after suffering an unfortunate incident with their main. So, it became a head to head competition between High Tension and Me Julie. The 'C' boat crew was elated, as they won both of the short practice races. Hmm, seems rivalry is starting to heat up between the LCSC Winter Series crews.
X-Perience decided on very long downwind legs for Saturday and headed out towards the forts. What followed was gybe, gybe, gybe, gybe, gybe. Well, you get the idea.
Saturday evening unfolded with stories of the day amongst the crews. After post-training/pre-dinner drinks, the crews settled onto their boats for home cooked meals (seems 'Cordon Bleu' Will continues to spoil High Tension), some laughs, charades and games aboard X-Perience, and best of all an extra hour of sleep!!
Sunday morning did not arrive with gorgeous skies. It was overcast, halyards banging against masts, and there was wind. Crews prepared their boats, knowing this would not be like the previous weekends races.
Even before we leaving Hamble River we knew today was going to be a very physical race. The wind was kicking about 25 knots, rain was starting and the sea state made itself known. Foredeck crews prepared for battle, they knew this would be a bouncy, wet ride.
Before the race, we witnessed torn headsails and a few broaches. X-perience (IRC2) ended up in a tightly packed start line as they combined IRC0, 1 and 2 together. But, we were off on our course that cascaded across the Solent. By the end of the race, we had had a small squall scream through, winds gusting up to 39 knots, witnessed torn sails, spectacular spinnaker wraps, broaches and retirements. We finished our race respectably, no major mistakes or incidents to report other than an inflated life jacket while hiking out. Rather amusing sight I must admit.
As for the J109's: Shaun had already concluded Doris J's goal for Sunday was to finish. Their main was patched together but was not in any condition to be pushed hard. After their nice result last week, they didn't want to withdraw, so a slow, safe race was the way to go. A good call, as they did complete the course!! Well done.
As for the re-match from Saturday's training races, Me Julie was ready to take High Tension head on. No more than a few boat lengths apart at each mark, sailing the course on different tactics, the race was heating up. As the last leeward mark approached, Me Julie decided not to put the kite up. After rounding, the wind dropped, others were passing them so up went the kite - well, not really. Me Julie found themselves trawling mid-Solent. Their kite was deep, but they managed to rescue it safely. Needless to say, High Tension seized this opportunity and left Me Julie behind them for good. However, it should be noted that Skipper Martin believes they placed ahead of High Tension on 'Corrected Time'. (Ed: This assertion is not universally supported and publishing this assertion does not imply that the web site endorses this view.)
[NOTE: At press time, Me Julie's result has been posted DNC.]
[AMENDMENT: Me Julie had her results changed from DNC. High Tension took line honours with 32 seconds to spare. Me Julie takes the 'Fastest LCSC on corrected time' award this week placing 15th, 14 seconds ahead of High Tension on "corrected time". (Ed: High Tension has a revised rating which was not taken into account. I am starting to understand the appeal of true One Design classes.) Congratulations to both boats!]
Honourable Mention: The two mast climbers this weekend, one to fix a windex (Sally), and the other to retrieve a halyard (James). No need to specify who lost their halyard, but it wasn't us.
Special Nomination: A new foredeck crew, Will and Ben on High Tension. According to Skipper Geri, they made all the difference and spent the majority of the race body surfing on the leeward rail (Why is it foredeck is always messing about playing in the waves??). Apparently Will was smiling through it all. The sign of a true bowman, slightly nuts!!
So, a fabulous, hard weekend on the water, with sea salt facials, soaking wet kit, bruises and sore muscles and we all LOVED it. Will we do it again? Absolutely, without question. (Ed: now that I do endorse.)
We have a week off from Winter Series, so until the second weekend in November.......
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| 'I know the tear is here somewhere!' Luke and Steven sort out Doris J's main. |
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| X-perience's kite went most of the way and immediately back down. Not easy without the headsail up. |
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| No idea which boat this is (not an LCSC one) but gives you an idea of the weather that was faced on Sunday. |
Copyright © London Corinthian Sailing Club, 2005