Autumn Series Race 6 - Fast Handicap
Published 19:00 on 13 Oct 2024
Course: 2-4-3-4-2-3
The clouds cleared, and the sun finally emerged for Race 6 of the Autumn Series. Nine boats lined up at the start, featuring three father-and-son teams, all sailing Merlin Rockets. They were joined by four Yawls, an RS400, and a K1, all set to tackle a thoughtfully laid-out course by Race Officer Graham Cranford Smith.
As the fleet got underway, the light breeze carried more of a westerly element than expected, though forecasts pointed to a shift to the northwest later in the race—a factor that could prove critical as the competition unfolded.
An individual recall was issued, but those at fault quickly redeemed themselves, and the race was fully on. Leading the charge at Mark 2 was the father-and-son duo of John and Ollie Meadowcroft, followed closely by John and Frankie Burn, with AJ and Tris Squire in third. However, as they made their way down the Portlemouth shore, the breeze faded near the ferry landing. Fortunately for teams Meadowcroft and Burn, they had advanced just far enough to pick up a fresh wind coming out of Batson, leaving the rest of the fleet trailing in their wake.
Due to my fortunate position aboard one of the leading Merlin Rockets, I can only account for the battle at the front. Luckily, Steve Walter of Y150 has kindly provided some insight into the action further back in the fleet—so keep reading for those details.
Back at the front, John and Frankie managed to edge inside John and Ollie during the downhill leg, gaining mark room. However, the Meadowcroft teams slick boat handling—likely thanks to Ollies skilled crewing—meant they lost the lead for only a moment. A flawless mark rounding quickly saw them reclaim the front position.
On the beat out of Yalton, the two Merlin Rockets were neck and neck, arriving at Mark 3 in close proximity. The real separation came only upon reaching Mark 2, where the conditions became as tricky as they get in Salcombe. Burgees spun in all directions as the forecasted northwest breeze fully kicked in.
At this point, John and Ollie managed to catch a helpful puff of wind, breaking free from the tide and heading toward shore. According to John, a perfectly timed gybe-tack-drop manoeuver secured their victory—but perhaps having a Merlin Rocket Week champion crew onboard didnt hurt either! I'll leave it up to you to decide.
In the end, Team Meadowcroft sailed brilliantly to claim 1st place, with John and Frankie Burn taking 2nd. As for who finished 3rd… read on to find out more!
The yawl pontoon is now a pretty lonely place as most boats are tucked up for the winter. However, four yawls made it to the start line as the crews tried to eke out the last of the seasons racing. Once David Stone in 184 had been reassured by the crew of 150 that he was expected to start with the rest of the fast handicap fleet in less than 4 minutes, the boats made for their preferred point on the line.
The beach end seemed more favoured, with slightly more pressure, and with everybody else seeming to agree, Simon Dawes and Steve Walter in 150 and Andrew Stirling and Dan Bridger sailing in 161 were nudged OCS and had to return. As luck would have it, they both managed to pick up a lift as they recrossed the start line, which helped them round the windward mark ahead of David and Mark in Y184 and Stephen and Chris in Y99.
More generosity of spirit was sent in the direction of Y184 off Fishermans Cove when it was suggested to David that boat speed might be improved without trailing a two-foot length of weed off the rudder! Dawes and Walter had a comfortable lead exiting the harbour heading to mark 4, but a private gust of wind carried Y161 and Y184 from some 25 boat lengths behind to round mark 4 ahead. As the wind established itself with a more northwesterly element throughout the race, shifts became erratic and conditions became trickier to read.
Y150 had clawed some ground back as the fleet neared mark 3, but a tactical blunder allowed Y184, who was sailing a higher line, to round in the lead. With clear air and good downwind speed, 184 began to pull away. As we rounded 4 for the last time, Y99 managed to ride a lift all the way back to the harbour, putting them right on the heels of the other boats. It was nip and tuck between Y150 and Y161, with the crew of Y150 unsettled by the knowledge that the tactical wizardry of Dan Bridger in Y161 would have to be overcome as we reentered the fickle winds of the harbour.
Fortunately, the wind filled in just a touch more, and Y150 showed their upwind speed. With a series of well-executed tacks, they began to pull away from the other Blue fleet boats. Dawes and Walter in Y150 took the win among the yawls and 3rd place overall on corrected time.
By John Burn and Steve Walter
Photos Lucy Burn
