Crumbleholme Trophy Race, self start Saturday 12 August 23 at 11:30. I arrive apparently the only yacht to accept the challenge of the long distance race with forecast SW F5-6.
So in the Spirit of Crumbleholme as intended, I decide to lead the way. With a cursory call on Ch09 to anyone who was listening I announced I'd crossed the line 11:30 on the nail and was on my way.
There was certainly plenty of wind, but the shelter of Portland Isle and causeway allowed for a fairly smooth sea. After the first mark the leg to East Shamble Buoy was fast, even for my little old boat. As the course was a close reach, I could hold full sail, and was able to push maximum hull speed of 7 knots through the water!
Rounding the E Shambles mark I was made aware that the race had been cancelled about 15 minutes after I had started! I won't write what I said at the time! But, in the spirit of our past leader who the race commemorated, I decided to stand on and complete the course anyway!
Another fast, if somewhat rolly passage, with building seas coming from astern soon had the Atomic Buoy in sight. Sadly, photos were hard to take and didn't show the waves particularly well, but as the sun shone through the crests as they started to break, it revealed a wonderful display of turquoise lights. Stunning.
After rounding Atomic, the fun started... I clearly knew I'd need first reef down before I started up wind. Being singled-handed it would have been better to have taken it in before reaching the downwind mark - isn't hind-sight useful!
No sooner than I'd battled the first reef, the lee deck still getting buried into the water, it was obvious that the second reef was also needed. I don't have wind instruments, but out of curiosity I later checked the reports from Portland breakwater which had recorded 25-33 knots, F6-7 in English.
It was a sporting beat back to Weymouth, with some fairly large sea at times. One caught my cockpit side-screen and ripped it apart! Certainly "wet on deck" was an understatement, but with sunny spells it was not cold, and the view of the water spectacular.
Finished on PQ line at 17:23
32.7nm logged You other don't know what you missed!
Paul Burger, Winters Maid
Submitted on 14th August 2023