December 3-4
Sailing, first weekend in December? Absolutely. It was the last weekend of the Winter Series and all 4 boats were out again, High Tension (Geraldine Fabre), Doris J (Shaun Curran), Me Julie (Mike Ridley) and X-perience.
Well, I think all of us were looking at the weather forecast by mid-Friday. Winds were a shocking 55 knots in the Solent, and the weekend's forecast wasn't looking all that much better. But, of course, we all made our way down to Hamble for the last weekend of racing.
Saturday turned into a very nice day in the end. Forecasts were force 5-7 with showers, but alas the skies never really opened while anyone was on the water, and the Js had a great day with Peter Hopps and Barry Dunning. I must admit that X-perience was not the crack race crew and let everyone have a Saturday morning lie-in, boat meeting time 10am. Even when crew arrived, we decided 'what's the point in getting soaked and everything if there is too much wind for the kite'. So, yes (head hung low) we never left the pontoon. Shameful, I know but we did have a party for which to prepare.
And party we did. Oh dear! While the others were practicing, a few of us were adorning X-perience's shrouds with fairy lights - and it was fabulous. We were the new transit for entering the river. Since the End of Season party was held without the race crews at Linden House, we decided to celebrate the racing with our own End of Season party. The only suitable and appropriate location: on the pontoon. Mulled wine, nibbles, stereo blaring and of course, lots of laughter and chatter. As it was the last night, there was just a buzz in the air. Some of us have spent the last 8 out of 9 weekends together and we knew it was coming to an end. I, for one, can claim that Sunday morning was a shocker - even though I went to bed at 11pm!! (Yes, I can use discretion sometimes). There were some who stayed out late dancing and carrying-on!!
When Sunday morning arrived, we couldn't believe it, no wind at all. Nothing!! No ice, no wind, hmmmm. This was certainly a two latte morning. Well at least it was for me. We had to get started quickly as all the taped up fairy lights had to come down, so up the rigging, ugh!! It was so much more fun when they were going up! The others boats slowly aroused as well, some in better shape than others, but all wondering if we would race.
So, off the LCSC boats were to the start line and a mighty fine procession we were. Father Christmas was at the helm of Doris J, surrounded by his reindeer. Cheesy tunes blaring from their stereo. What a sight. Simply brilliant. It was an absolute giggle to witness Steven Gear-Evans leading Doris J, Me Julie and High Tension in YMCA, antlers flapping away. (It should be noted they did this with the committee boat and were mentioned in the weekly Series article on Yachts and Yachting).
Needless to say, the lack of wind postponed the start by 2 hours 20 minutes. This presented Doris J with lots of time to cruise by all the race boats. Once racing did start though, it was all business. I have to say, X-perience had a great race. We finally beat our friendly IRC2 rival, Jaguar Logic (skippered by our Fastnet skipper Sam Connelly). We saved the best for the last.
As for the J's, they all did really well. High Tension reclaimed the 'Top Dog' status and finished 12th for the day. Doris J placed 17th while Me Julie came in 19th.
It is hard to believe this is the last Monday I will be sitting and writing up race weekend summaries. This season was terrific. So many great people, so many amusing stories, so many laughs and oh so many drinks!! What a transformation compared to last Winter Series when we had one permanent boat, and a second boat now and then. We had 4 boats out on the water every weekend but the first. Simply amazing. Everyone worked so hard learning, practicing, and striving to become consistent crew. It was such good fun!! And now, the season has truly ended. No more early Saturday morning departures towards Hamble, ice covered decks, or biting winds. But also, no more fresh air, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and camaraderie. Alas, the only remaining question is: Who is crazy enough to take on Warsash Spring Series??
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