After a brisk start in NE 20 knots off the YCC club line, nine out of the original ten boats had what was agreed to have been a great crossing, with the wind, as forecast, shifting abruptly to SW 3-4 in the middle of the Channel, and the first boats arriving off the Shambles at around 1700 just as the RORC ‘Myth of Malham’ fleet were beating up to round Portland on their way to the Eddystone, which made for a crowded horizon as I tried to distinguish French boats at the buoy!
A convivial drink at the bar once all the crews had arrived gave the chance to catch up on news from Cherbourg and to continue plans for our visit, then we went off to find something to eat, returning through town at midnight to discover Jean-Seb in the middle of St Thomas’ Street looking a little overawed by Saturday night in Weymouth, and so a nightcap or two was proposed in the King’s Arms – though not for me, with the responsibility of being RO in the morning..
The northerly breeze at 0700 was a pleasant surprise, and meant that a leg from X to H was possible, just to sort the boats out for the long downwind leg home. It was interesting to watch how even that short beat created its usual differential, though the arrival of the SW breeze after a brief calm on the run out to sea meant that the last boat, which had gybed towards the harbour, got the benefit and moved up the fleet, though as they went out towards the Shambles it was clear that the front two boats, ‘Raging Bee’ and ‘Night and Day’ were well clear. Soon the appearance of spinnakers on the horizon suggested that the trip home would be as enjoyable as the trip over, which YCC club secretary Anne Mataguez confirmed by email this morning, with thanks from YCC to WSC and looking forward to our visit in June - I just hope the weather gods are as kind to us!
So now it’s our turn…
Steve Fraser
Cruiser Class Captain
