Sailing Club Series, R3 - Short-Race Handicap.

Published 15:42 on 11 May 2026

There were equal parts nervousness and excitement as the 9-strong ILCA fleet rigged up at Batson ahead of the third race in the Sailing Club Series. 

A shifty NNE F4/5, gusting 6, was blowing down the estuary, prompting a few swaps to the 4 rig and one older 6 sailor wondering when he stopped relishing the strong winds and who had lowered the boom without telling him. The OOD set a course of CrosswaysBlackstoneCrosswaysFerry Mark, saving the fleet from what would have been a horrible, shifty and gusty fetch back from 5. By the time the fleet got to the 5-minute gun, the wind had abated to a more manageable F4, though it was still throwing out some much bigger and more challenging gusts just to make sure nobody could settle into any sense of rhythm.

 

The fleet split immediately on the starting hooter, with Groves heading for the Salcombe side and just making the final fairway marker. Reynolds, flirting(!) with the fairway, tacked across to Portlemouth, where he stayed. There was a good battle between the ILCA 4s of McKenzie and Hoar as they made their way between the boats on the Salcombe side, until Hoar, in need of a footwear upgrade, slipped and capsized, leaving McKenzie to chase Groves up to Crossways. Hart was also making good headway in her ILCA 4 and rounded in third behind Reynolds and Groves.

 

The run down to 1 was uneventful, save for Reynolds deciding that he would also chuck in an extra mark (Ferry Mark) on the way. Being a friendly fleet, we decided to tell him. There arent many faster things on the water than an ILCA 4 in a strong wind with a competent sailor at the helm, and so it proved, as Groves and Reynolds were unable to pull out much of a gap in their bigger rigs.

 

Groves rounded Blackstone with a slim lead on Reynolds but was soon overhauled as Reynolds pulled out a gap which, despite Groves trying everything he could, stubbornly remained all the way back to Crossways. By this time, the wind had dropped again and must have left Wilcox, who usually conjures up some great boat speed, rueing his decision to go with the 4 rig. The lighter winds meant that Groves and Reynolds began to pull away from the ILCA 4s, building a sizeable gap as they led the way back to the final mark, with McKenzie in third and the battle between Hoar and Hart heating up.

 

On rounding the final mark, Reynolds headed to the Salcombe side and, in desperation, Groves decided to stay on the Portlemouth side, which was, in hindsight, a ridiculous decision. There were a few frustrated expletives as he watched Reynolds sail away to cross the line first by a solid minute. Third over the line was McKenzie, who had pulled out a sizeable gap on the other ILCA 4s. The battle for fourth over the line was intense and, as the bell went, Hoar and Hart could not be separated.

 

The final rankings, on corrected time, were McKenzie in first, Reynolds second and Groves third. One thing we did learn is that, despite what was written earlier, there is something faster on the water than a competent sailor in an ILCA 4 in a strong wind its Charlie McKenzie in an ILCA 4 in a strong wind. He is hard to beat!

 Special mention must go to Suzy Andrews, who was incredibly nervous about the wind as we rigged up at Batson but didnt let that deter her and delivered a courageous sail to finish the race in one piece and, hopefully, with the confidence that she can more than cope with the stronger winds.