Weymouth
Sailing
Club

After a long delay ashore on Monday morning because of light and fluky winds, everyone was on the water to take advantage of the sea breeze which came up with the sunnier weather in the afternoon.

The viewpoint  from the French Laser coach boat was impressive, with Jean-Baptiste Bernaz getting a few last tips on position in the boat, favoured wind side (left) and tidal state (changing quite quickly) from Lionel Pellegrino, while the fleet milled around waiting for the race committee to decide the wind had steadied enough to risk a start.

If you have ever seen a mainsail lashed to the boom by a lifeboat crewman you will recognise it in an instant. No nonsense, practical, no matter how high tech the sail, it gets the same treatment when lives are at stake. Back in Weymouth I looked down into Vertigo’s deserted snakepit and thanked my lucky stars that we had got off so lightly.

The prestigious RDYC class 1 offshore race to Cherbourg was won by club members Richard Veale and Jez Rees sailing the Figaro Solo offshore race boat Groupe Partouche.......

After the visit of the commander and officers of the 'Zenobe Gramme' to WSC on Saturday night, our temporary members from Team France were invited aboard this lovely ketch for a visit to sample Belgian beer and tour the ship, which celebrates its 50th birthday this year.

YOBs finally get on the water last Friday after our previous meeting was a complete washout with high winds, thunder, lightning and a lot of rain.   This Friday the winds were still high so our Optimists and Fevas sailed in the harbour while our small fleet of 420s went out to sea to get used to the lively conditions.

Members who joined during the last year got together with club officers and other members at a reception in the clubroom on Friday 13 May. Commodore Mark Bugler gave a speech of welcome to the group and encouraged them to enjoy the club facilities and get involved with club activities.

We are pleased to be able to welcome the French Laser sailors to WSC, where they will be training until next week. From left - Felix, Sarah, Lionel, Sophie and Jean-Baptiste, who have just had an exhausting week at the French Olympic Week at Hyeres, will be exploring the uncertain conditions forecast for the next few days on the Olympic waters of Weymouth Bay. The remainder of the team will be here on Monday 16th May, which will be a very busy day in the yard!

I looked at the course that had been emailed to me with astonishment. We were on delivery passage approaching the Needles when it came in. I was pretty surprised that I had a signal & marvelling at modern technology then it hit me that this course was not exactly what I had expected.

My first proper cruise this year involved a leg to Alderney with a westerly 3-4, sunny but chilly, with a brief stopover to meet up with old friend Richard, who drove me round the island, stopping off at Gannets Rock, a marvellous view of the Channel Islands and the Raz Blanchard. Then off to Cherbourg in a brisk southerly, which increased at Cap de la Hague and then progressively headed and died as I got nearer to Cherbourg - the perfection of an all-starboard cruise undermined by the need for a short port tack to get through the entrance at Fort de l'Ouest!