| Race Report Sunday 21″ June 2020 |
Seven sailors arrived, eager to rig their dinghies on this breezy Sunday afternoon. After launching three more sailors joined, Chris & Mary, Distant Thunder and Sam SY2.
A long “A” course was set with the buoys being laid up stream of the Bell and Crown and just off the City Barge by Chris Jones in the safety boat.
The scheduled Start of 14.15 was delayed for Chris & Mary and Sam to get to the start line. Chris & Mary managed to make the start line but Sam joined after the start on lap 2.
With the wind gusting 3-4 in a general WSW direction, a good start was made by all with the fleet bunching at the first buoy. James with his crew Ayanda rounded first, followed by Rob and Lev. Not far behind the others all rounded the buoy successfully.
The second lap showed the same leadership pattern, with the gusting wind causing a great deal of uncontrolled listing and Lev in his Enterprise capsized off Oliver’s Island. Lev being Lev quickly righting and continuing to sail plus bailing with his trusty bailer.
Tim had the misfortune to be swept onto the buoy at the Bell and Crown.
The leading dinghies were now lapping at about 10 minutes per lap and generally keeping to the Strand side of the trot. However, others tried crossing over to the Kew side of the trot to have a fast reach to the Bell and Crown buoy. On some laps this appeared to gain ground on the leading dinghies.
The race continued with James and Rob lapping at about 8 minutes and eventually finishing 7 LAPS. Lev, Alex and Ian finishing within 28 seconds of each other at 6 LAPS and Henry & Mary and Chris & Mary 4 minutes behind, also on 6 LAPS.
Tim and Sam completed 5 LAPS.
Many thanks to Chris for manning the safety
boat single handed, not easy. This was a testing race, with strong gusts
of variable wind typically “STRAND”.
OOD JAEB
