A turnout of 4 eager beavers celebrated the first club race of 2012 despite forecasts for strong breezes and a distinct lack of boats on the moorings. Steve Fraser encouraged Jacaranda a 44 footer from Portland Harbour to join Snowgoose, Echo and Draig O’r Mor on the start line. Euan McNair again kindly provided committee boat and RO Steve Dadd set a good course with the finish outside the Clubhouse. The race was on, together with a race to the bar before the predicted downpour around noon.
With a clean start the competitors beat to P with Snowgoose breaking away from the pack on port tack. Draig was first to the windward mark and launched a perfect wine glass assymetric spinnaker. After tussling for an eternity the wrap was released with only seconds to spare before being buzzed by the press boat ( oh the shame of it!). Jacaranda close behind opted to white sail the race then Snowgoose swiftly hoisted their symmetrical kite. I have asked Gary on Echo to fit a brightness control to his new dayglow orange spinnaker they certainly looked like they were ‘enjoying the ride’.
After an easy reach to F with a gybe on to a deeper run to B, kites were dowsed for a long beat with adverse tide back to P. Snowgoose lost their spinnaker halyard so they were unable to hoist again for the rest of the race. Positions remained unaltered around P and as the fleet soaked downwind to B they marvelled at the luxury motorboat Tatoosh. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatoosh_(yacht)) 35 crew, 40 foot yacht on deck - pretty impressive.
Approaching Weymouth the heavens opened and one by one they beat up the Harbour to the finish line getting a thoroughly good soaking to boot. With a high tide there was little chance of going aground and pushing to the limit taking every lift made short work on the beat although the wind decreased significantly after Draig had crossed the line.
With the Club’s new venture for 2012 to have an IRC class in every race Kay & Kevin Stibbs Draig O’r Mor were delighted to win the IRC trophy & Gary & Morag Warr in Echo won the PY class.
Kay Stibbs
Submitted on 3rd January 2012