I can report that Brian is now back at home, and hopefully we will see him back on the deck in the coming weeks.

Yesterday, it was our scratch racing day, with the forecast offering showers all day, with our now usual south orientated stream of air.

We had 13 sailors check in, and 16 sailors turned up for a bit of an odd day.

We had the temperature hovering around 22 deg, so for most of us it was jackets off!  You never know what to expect these days.  Sunny for the most part of the afternoon, and a heavy shower descending just as we were packing up.  

The wind was moving around, starting ENE and slowly rotating to the SE through the afternoon..  That doesn’t mean to say it was as simple as that though. I think each of us was presented with challenges at some stage. It started out at 4 knots, and slowly faded to under 3, but with gusts over 12, it livened things up.We all started on B sails, and a few A sails appeared later in the day, but were quickly changed back after one race.

Graham set the course on the eastern side of the pontoon, and had to place it further out because of the low tide.

I think the rounding of the bottom marks was more troublesome than the top marks today.  For the most part we seemed to get around the top mark more cleanly than usual – perhaps because it was a bit easier to see.

There were a couple of the usual hookups, but not too many rescues; so we got through our races rather easily.  It helps if we can keep the boats near to the starting line after you finish, so we can quickly get the next race under way.

We had Mick Costa again do the scoring for us.  Mick, you do such a great job.  There is no deciphering of numbers or finding boats that are unaccounted for – it makes the job of getting the final score sheet out so much easier.

We sailed without an RO, but Mick was always growling in the background!

It is interesting on the score sheet how the grouping of the points is coming together.

Race winners for the day were Robin Tickner 3; Stephen Deane and Martin Thearle 2; then Graham Brown and Noel McPherson on 1.

Stephen Deane took the honours for the day to win 1st place on 19 points.

Robin Tickner finished in 2nd place on 20 points.

Graham Brown finished in 3rd place with 22 points.

I have been able to coerce Brian to get out of his sick bed to put together the up to date Club Championship Points Score for today’s sailing, and updating from last week’s results as well.  Thanks Brian.

Our next Sail day is Thursday 21^th May for a Scratch Event. I’ll forward forecast details closer to the day.

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