Club Racing
The start of the mid-season was delayed last Sunday when there was a real 'hooley' blowing. The natural energy system in our latitudes seems to have intensified recently with a somewhat unusual combination of strong winds and bright sun. For most purposes, this hasn't been too bad, but it was over the top for sailing last Sunday, unfortunately.
Warm-Up Series Results
The early season series has been quite challenging with the vigorous weather and it is satisfying that overall, 17 sailors competed in the 11 races run. It has been a pretty close competition, with Alan Lambert taking first position (Solo), second Chris Bannister (Blaze), joint third Paul Griffiths (Solo) and Ben Dancer (Laser) - who did not manage all the outings, but when he did, he came either first or second!
Ian Myers, who has only just taken up the sport, came a very creditable sixth - better than his darts, someone uncharitably quipped! Look out all you mid-season sailors for Harry Hinksman in his new Laser Bug, who proved it was not a wheelbarrow by taking eighth place in his first outing.
Sail Training
The final session for improvers was completed successfully last Saturday. Training for beginners to sailing starts on Saturday, June 4. There is no training session this week because of Coppet Week starting this weekend.
Coppet Week
We are looking forward to another excellent Coppet Week with competitors assembling this Saturday and Sunday morning for the six days of racing starting at 3 pm on Sunday - weather willing. We trust that we will not be covered in Icelandic dust, be blown-out or becalmed! The forecast at the time of writing is for a blustery force 4 rising 5 on the Sunday and a strong force 5 easing to 4 on the Monday, so we may have some challenging conditions - but who believes long term outlooks anyway?!
There is a really great social programme with excellent value food every night at 7.30 pm to complement the sailing:
Saturday - 9 pm (after registration) welcome and drinks; Sunday - afternoon teas with the RNLI from 2 pm, jam session with Samantha (bring your own instruments), sausage mash and dessert; Monday - bingo, home-made chilli and dessert; Tuesday - quiz, home-made chicken casserole and dessert; Wednesday - Local duo Sandalwood entertaining, pork roast and dessert; Thursday - noggin and natter; Friday - prize-giving.
All members are welcome and we look forward to great company, great activities and a great week.
Skipper's Mate