An easterly sea in Weymouth Bay is always exciting and this week's Sunday afternoon race took place in 20-25 knots of wind, with steep seas to climb over and then surf down going the other way. Four Squibs took on the challenge, along with around fifteen keelboats split between W class and IRC. Farr Out won the 'most alarming gybe' prize, though Steve Dadd in Rumrunner was certainly on the podium! Kevin Connor's RWH was enjoying the lead until the conditions found a weak link in the mainsheet fixing...
It was interesting to see who set a spinnaker for the downwind legs, though there was still some impressive surfing under white sails. You will have noticed the absence of 'Viking', which has again voted for shoreside in need of TLC - thanks to Euan McNair for the use of 'Sirius', which proved to be an excellent boat for the conditions. Well done to Stuart and Jo for surviving a very rolly afternoon aboard as AROs.
Meanwhile in the calmer waters of the yard, the onset of winter means getting those cushions off and home, apparently using one's partner as a convenient prop. We came across Jackie Clifton of Devana looking very relaxed about her role, modelling a must-have sailing accessory...
Steve Fraser
Submitted on 14th November 2011