The weather gods smiled down on a depleted fleet that participated in the Boxing day races. With threats of a force 9 and torrential rain, would be competitors stayed in bed, however a break between two lows scurrying up the Channel allowed race officer Adrian Pattison a small window of opportunity to get a race in.
With winds gusting into the 30 knot region the planned dinghy race was canned, although some took to the water anyhow. The small Squib turnout still enjoyed a cracking thrash around the cans and were the first ones up the river to take the cannons outside of the club house manfully operated by Kevin Sear and "Gilly."
With the committee boat windward of J mark the keelboat fleet were sent to a laid mark under the Weymouth Eye with a downhill run back to J. A further beat up to the laid mark over to Franklin then across to Bowleaze, with one long beat home.
Ian Symes's Shearwater made it out into the bay, only to be frustrated by a precocious main halyard so quickly put his boat away and with his crew jumped on with Bill Barker on Flair II. Rocket did not leave the dock as a bout of the squirts with half of the crew had laid them low, whilst John Burton took the skippers decision not to venture out and sent his crew home.
The start line had a lot of port bias with the intention of keeping the eager fleet away from Viking II, this did not deter the fleet from still making it interesting for the race officials!
With a short chop and strong current from the flood water sluicing out of the Wey, a route to the beach seemed sensible, however those that went out were rewarded with yards on those that went inshore. The first run went easily enough for the lead boats, although Nick Massey's crew on Tumberumba managed an interesting wine glass on their hoist. Scoline, Rumrunner and La Salmo chose not to kite, Rumrunner's crew were certainly mindful of their recent expensive broach and Chinese gybe.
As the rain started to wash the salt from the decks and another march upwind the fleet settled into handicap order, although Farr Out seemed to be snapping on the heels of the 'big boys' up front.
Nick Massey provided the entertainment on the next run with a svelte rounding up at the gybe mark.
At the bottom mark the fleet duly beat to the beach whilst Bill Barker went straight out to sea and for a while looked as though he was off to Dartmouth. When the fleet converged at the river mouth Bill had the advantage and tackled the fast flowing River Wey in style. One by one the wet but happy crews made their way home to the roar of the finish cannon and the sanctuary of the bar. All the boats finished and none touched the putty, an added bonus was boats moored the other side of the bridge made the midday lift and were able to enjoy an afternoon at the club without the interruption of the 2 o'clock scramble.
Submitted on 27th December 2012