Sailing Club Series, Race 5. Fast Handicap Report

Published 16:33 on 20 May 2024

The fast handicap fleet once again saw a good turnout arrive at the start line on Saturday, despite the forecast of no wind and rain!

Racing got underway to no rain, sun even, and gentle breeze flowing up the harbour. 

The fleet enjoyed a shifty first beat to Blackstone which saw Andrew Squire, with his daughter Laura crewing in the Albacore, leading the fleet out as they zipped along the Portlemouth shore, rounding Mark 1 first, with John and Katy Meadowcroft in the Merlin Rocket next in line. 

John and Frankie Burn led the Yawl contingent from the gun and created themselves a substantial lead that quickly appeared to be unassailable, the key word being 'appeared'. 

 
As the Albacore and Merlin entered South Pool Creek, the wind began to disappear. Despite this, they both managed to round the mark and exit the creek before things got really tricky. 
They both completed the leg to mark 2 and welcomed the shorten course hooter as they headed off back down towards the finish line. The Squires took line honours and corrected time victory with the Meadowcrofts claiming second. 

 
As John and Frankie sat wallowing in a hole off Crossways all they could do was watch as the fleet trickled down on the last of the fickle breeze—lead well and truly assailed! 

Progress for the rest of the fleet on the water was slow, with three teams (one of which was myself) reaching for the paddle and heading home once the rain started! 

 
The keenest endured, though, with the Yawls splitting at Crossways, the leading contenders Y89, Y68, and Y145 opting for the Salcombe side early on, whilst Y15 and Y17 stuck it out on the East Portlemouth shore, only choosing to cross after Fishermans. 

Phil and Roz McGee in Y17 had now caught the bunch and made the bold decision to stick to the Salcombe side as the others all tacked out across the estuary. They found the slightest of breeze and then made their tack for Mark 2. Now they just had to navigate a gentle downwind drift to the finish, which they did, ensuring Y17 took Yawl line honours along with third place on corrected time.

By John Burn

Photos By Lucy Burn