RE-RUN OF GROUND HOG RACE. 30TH JANUARY 2005
Generally speaking our reverse handicap starts have not been a great success.
Yesterday was a grand exception. Nine boats with ratings ranging from 261 to 71
crossed the start line over a 20-minute window with a rock steady 8 to 10 knot wind from
the southeast. The theory is that if we all sail well and the handicaps are correct then we
will all cross the finish line, 6.6 miles later, at the same time. In practice the end result is
quite different.
It was a grand beat out of the harbour with most boats getting close to optimum upwind
performance. The early starters of MADRIGAL and JEEKERS were being overhauled
soon after the Second Sister light. DERYN MOR was able to stay ahead of the pack
almost to Batt Rock. It was the rocket ship JJ FLASH who, despite being the last boat to
start, worked her way though the fleet in a very convincing manner and was the first to
round the mark.
Both ALACRITY and JEEKERS had elected to sail without flying sails. This was a
mistake and both paid the price as the wind went light for the down wind legs to Welbury
Spar and Home. FANDANGO had made a similar call on the weather by starting with
small jib and a reef in the main and was well away from her customary lead position at
the turn. It was a gentle run home with the finishing order
and race result being: JJ
FLASH, FINAL DASH, DERYN MOR, WESTWIND, ALACRITY,
FANDANGO,
JEEKERS, SOUL DANCER and MADRIGAL. The rain held off for most of the race and
all participants were glad they had ignored the gloom and the rain earlier in the morning.
The next race is this Sunday the 6th of Feb. (announced earlier in error as the 5th.) The
race is to Ben Mohr rock and home. Distance is 9.0 miles with a conventional start at
1000. Skippers meeting 0930 on the breakwater.
Bob Jones,