The third trophy race took place as scheduled on Saturday, though the forecast clearly had an impact on the fleet as only two boats were on the line, RWH and Saskia VII. A brisk SW5, with the promise of more, indicated a course which came progressively back up into the bay – SRGBICQ – and so off we went to the Shambles.
The wind headed a bit as usual off Grove, giving a tight reach, and Kevin and John had established a good lead by the time we made the buoy with the remains of the flood. Saskia decided to wear round, which proved problematic, and Rima on the foredeck watched with alarm as the buoy passed very close to the forestay!
Then the reward was a deep reach down to Ringstead (see photo), with the wind steadily increasing and the clouds gathering over Weymouth; both without kites, Saskia was surfing at around 10 knots though RWH was managing 16! Discretion seeming to be increasingly the better part of valour, we radioed RWH to see what they thought about shortening the course and beating straight to the finish – “I think that’s a marvellous idea!” crackled back Kevin’s reply.
A second reef helped to keep the boat manageable on the beat from Ringstead, though RWH didn’t have that luxury, and both boats finished with a measure of relief, having completed the 15-mile triangle in two and a half hours, with the wind peaking at around 35 knots!
Steve Fraser
Cruiser Class Captain
