'A windy regatta'
With all the top 40.7s out, and a strong wind forecast, the youngish crew were more than a little wary heading out of the Hamble on Sat morning. Who was on form? Who were the heavy weather specialists? No one had charter crews on board, nor were any paid crew, and all the boats being sailed by their owners, family and friends. It was going to be a tough and close fought Championships.
Race 1
The first start was a measure of things to come, and the race officer got his first taste of 40.7s. Everyone, but everyone, was either on or just over the line. It was too close to call who was over, and the race officer wisely called a general recall. Up went the ‘Z’ flag, with 20% penalty if over the line within one minute of the start. Second start got away cleanly, and we decided to go up the middle and pick the shifts. Those that went to the left finally came out on top, and we followed Tarka and Genie around the course. With the wind in the 17-20kt range, we held on to our heavy #1 for the race, just hoping it would not get too strong in the gusts. It proved a wise call, as the lulls dropped down to 10-12 kts, and we would have been very slow with the #3. Maybe we really need a #2 for next season? On the last run, Incognito and Loveshack caught up considerably. They both went to the RH leeward mark whilst Richard (on tactics) called for the LH one. A good call, as we pipped Incognito for 3rd place, and Genie suffered gear damage at the last mark dropping them right down.Race 2
The wind was beginning to rise. We made the decision to switch to the #3 given the forecast was for more wind. Everyone else had as well, other than Incognito who elected for a #2 Genoa. This time we were away cleanly, however a late luff around Chimera as they ducked the line (thanks guys!) put us in the 2nd row. A quick tack off to clear our air, and then a tack back to get onto the right up the first beat. Again those that went Right got clear ahead, and we rounded 2nd after Loveshack. Down the run we mirrored Loveshack’s every gybe, however they managed to hold us off. Now the wind was beginning to rise, and we were grateful we had our ¾ oz kite up. Up the next beat, and we held the middle course. At the top mark Incognito came steaming in from the right, ahead of both of us, popped their kite and headed off down the run to take a well deserved race win. Loveshack covered us tightly up the last beat until they could clearly tack to the finish and we again came in third.Race 3
Was the wind going to drop off? It didn’t look like it, and with the results quite open it was still all to play for. Another general recall, and the line was quickly relaid as it was now quite pin-end biased. A different course this time, which gave Eddie Gatehouse (on Nav) a few headaches and anxious moments looking for marks. This time we decided to go left up the first beat, and with good boatspeed and smart decision making from Richard, we went around the top mark in 4th place. However the wind had dropped off a little, so we decided to try out our new ½ of masthead kite. Loveshack rounded just behind us, and the battle was on. First class trimming from the spinnaker crew (Austen and Chris) soon had us pull out a 200yd lead on Loveshack, and move us up into 3rd place by the next mark. Wow, that is one HUGE kite! We found we were able to run deeper and faster than the boats around us. Now we were moving! Up the next beat, and Tarka squeeze ahead, making us settle for ... another third!Well, it was time to shake off our consistent but boring 3rd places. With 3 different race winners, and with results all over the place other than Loveshack who had a consistent 2,2,1, there was lots to race for.
Race 4
The race officer set a shortened course of beat, tight reach, run, tight reach then beat to the finish. The wind was gusty, making it hard to decide between sails. Eventually we plumped for the #3, on the logic that the gusts were large. Was it the right choice? Again, another tight start. Just like dinghy team racing, everyone on the line and no room for mistakes. We play tag with Loveshack, and as they luff to find their place on the line, we happily duck their transom and luff up inside them. We hold them high, with hardly any boatspeed. One minute to go. The clock ticks down, and the line gets ever closer. A gap to leeward, but not as large as we would like. 30secs, and we start to pick up speed. 15 secs and we put the pressure on Loveshack….5 secs and we are looking very good… bang and we hit the line at full speed just 1 metre from Loveshack above us, and 10metres to Incognito below us. We quickly overhaul Incognito, who tack off to clear their air, and Loveshack finally fall into our lee as they are unable to tack off. Again we decide to hit the left of the beat, but want to stay within a reasonable distance of Tarka and Loveshack. Chimera hits hard left, and comes out on top by the windward mark, with us in 2nd. Loveshack and Tarka are a little way back. Across the reach – wish we had carried the A-sail as it is too tight for kites, (we opted for 2x ¾ oz kites as it was windy) then down the run. We put up a ¾ oz, just too windy for the masthead we thought. Also, the last reach would need a fractional, and we didn’t fancy pealing to it at the end of the run. Which way down the run? It looks divided, with more wind on the right. The fleet splits, with Anticipation and ourselves going right, and the rest to the left. The call was good, and the long run we find more pressure – much more pressure. Anticipation put up their masthead, and we wish we had done the same. Chimera lose out heavily on the right, and Loveshack even more. By the bottom mark, Anticipation are up on our transom, then a big gap to the rest of the fleet. Will we be able to hold the kite? Anticipation prepare their jib, so they were clearly not planning to hold their masthead. 100m to go… the radio comes to life… shortened course – straight to the finish! Some very deft work by the foredeck crew of Chris Sandison, Bethany Robson and Sarah Kafetz gets the jib up … and the kite down at the last possible moment. We luff a little as we go around the mark to make sure Anticipation fall into our dirty air. It works, and we quickly pull out 100m on Anticipation as they struggle for clear air. Eventually they tack off, and we match them in case they pick up better breeze on the left again. Finally, they tack back to keep off the layline and we put in another covering tack. The line closes, and we carry on to the layline before tacking for the favoured starboard end. We’ve done it - at last, we won a race!
When we get ashore, we find that we are overnight leaders. Everyone else had at least one high result, and with our consistent 3,3,3,1 we were one point ahead of Loveshack on 2,2,1,6. An excellent party and dinner was put on by the Royal Corinthian, and we all retired by midnight – exhausted. The forecast for Sunday was looking horrendous.
Sunday morning...now it is really blowing. 25kts in the Medina. We put up our main in the lee of Cowes, and run down to the starting area. Are they really going to hold racing in this? The wind rises, and the gusts top out at 38kts. Wow! We felt sorry for the RIB drivers, especially when the horizontal rain arrived.
Race 5
We call for the #3, and note that half the fleet have put up #4 jibs. We left our #4 ashore, on the logic that if we need it, it is too windy to race. Now we are not so sure. We watch the Farr45s go, and pick a leaf out of Werewolf’s book of leaving the jib hoist to 2mins before start, to help manoeuvring and reduce damage. Euphorix and a few others call in that they are not racing. Frankly, we didn’t blame them. The wind shifts, and the race officer calls for a 5min postponement to relay the line. We wait for our time, hoist the jib quickly – then – the jib jumps out the track on the hoist! We just manage to get it down again before rehoisting. It makes us a little late for the start, and we are unable to make the favoured pin-end. Bang! Loveshack go over early, have to restart, and importantly, take a 20% (ie 2-place) penalty. We head up the beat in near-last position, (Loveshack was still behind us) but quickly reign in the fleet. We round the windward mark in a more respectable mid-fleet position. Anticipation round ahead, as does Tarka. Anticipation put up their kite and charge off under control. Loveshack and ourselves do the same. Tarka just go for the jib. A big gust comes through, and stops all those with kites up from Gybing. Luckily we had gybed at the mark and were already on the favoured gybe. Loveshack gybe, and broach out in front of us showing us the bottom of their keel. (Later we hear their vang broke through the gybe). Anticipation go too far, and end up having to reach with a jib to the leeward mark. We pull ourselves up to 3rd place. Up the next beat and we pull up to 2nd. Now only Tarka ahead. We round the top mark and put up our oldest ¾oz kite, and have it filling for 30 secs before a gust strikes and it shreds into confetti. Now what? We quickly hoist the jib as the rain tips down obscuring the course. The wind drops to 10kts as the squall passes. We hoist the new ¾oz, and as soon as it fills the wind picks back up and we realise we need to gybe to make the mark. We catch up to Tarka’s stern, who have wisely decided to go down the run with jib only. Suddenly the guy jumps out of the pole, and the kite wraps itself around the forestay. Some careful work by the saviours on foredeck get it away by the leeward mark, and incredibly, the jib hoisted just in time! The radio comes to life – all further racing is abandoned. Very sensible as the wind tops 40kts. All to play now for the finish. We go for the left mark, Tarka and Loveshack the right. We are sure the left is closer. A smart rounding and careful short last beat sees us pull out on Tarka and take the gun. Another win… and to a big cheer – we realise we have won the 40.7 Nationals!Many thanks to the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club for hosting this fabulous event, and we will be back next year.
Crew:Chris Sandison – Chief bowman and puller-outer-of-trouble.
Bethany Robson – Bowgirl – well known for her skirting
Sarah Kafetz – mast girl – don’t spill Sarah’s beer…
Chris Averill – grinder (don't give up on the gym just yet)
Claire Mulville – Sewer and wind - magic kite packer and wind whisper
Austen Scully – trim 1 - 'talk to the kites and they will listen'
Mike Green – trim 2 - guy extraordinaire
Manda Robson – pit - master of all levers and controls
Eddie Gatehouse - nav - which mark is it? 5 degrees up and 2mins to go...
Simon Kitchen - mainsheet - winches? for whimps
Pete Robson – helm - just does as he's told
Richard Franks – tactics - the godfather. Don't argue...
Also ran…
James Ponsford – grinder on day 2 when Sarah had to go home.