RACE Officer Patrick Clarke’s not-inconsiderable experience was tested on Sunday, writes Ian Symonds.
Not only were various forecasts all somewhat off the mark but this included wind that shifted from south-westerly nine to fourteen for the first race to westerly seven to seventeen for the second race.
Spectators at the club could barely see the first race for the heavy drizzle that shrouded the course based in the entrance to St Just. As Patrick was adjusting the course for the wind shift a more normal downpour occurred and an almost miraculous clarity allowed ridiculously clear visibility of the second race!
It was, of course, the precursor to more drizzle as the clarity was too good to be true. But, on such a day it was the best part of a day with hours of turgid wet stuff.
Amazingly the turnout of boats was quite splendid as Restronguet Club sailors showed their determination to get as much sailing in as possible. Two Turbo fleet boats made the best of the conditions, Peter Knight’s B14 taking honours. Two Darts also wrestled each other and the weather, Jeremy and Sabine Underwood taking both wins.
The asymmetrics, all RS200s, were out in force again after a morning training session at which three crews came from Plymouth and Exmouth such is the excellence of our coaches. In the racing Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill took both races with Kyle and Madeline seconds, the third slots by Freya and Jess.
Two Firefly crews went out but it was Sophie and Alan Hulbert who competed and therefore obtained two firsts. The medium handicap comprising RS Aero and Europe sailors saw Lesley Taylor in her Europe take both races. Remaining places were shared between the five Aeros that started the day.
Over all in this Frostbite series of four Lesley and Len Trenoweth are sitting equal first on points with just next week to go. Two Mirrors raced, the club boat and Martin Egan’s boat. There had been a training session in the morning, conditions were not really conducive to a ‘fun’ afternoon racing for the younger crews.
The Lasers came out in force, great to see this as they are a wickedly competitive fleet. Richard Taylor, Gemma O’Rourke and Geoff Taylor shared the first three places of the six Lasers that sailed. Gemma is currently sitting in overall first, with Rafa Oakes second.
Twenty-six boats on a dull November Sunday is surely a real indication that sailing in the ‘Roads’ is fit and healthy. One more Frostbite, the Christmas Pudding Race and then a break for training before 2024 season looms and it all starts again.
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