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2007 Race ReportsRace 11 - RORC/JOG Cowes to Dinard/St.MaloReport from Cougar, Class 3 Avid readers of JOG racing reports are probably aware of the eclectic mix of sailors that make up our crew. This report will hopefully highlight just how entertaining sailing on our boat can be. Never a crew to bang on about VMG, tides and wind we prefer to look at the lighter side of life. The week up to the race saw the Skipper's obsession with baggage reach huge proportions - at one stage loincloths and sandals were going to be the only clothing that we were going to be allowed to bring. In all fairness to his eminence some of Cougar's crew are guilty of having their crew kit delivered in a Pickford's wagon that would be more appropriate for the QE2 than a 38 ft yacht. Stowing of food and the midnight cushion fitting on the quayside must merit a special mention, several highly paid professionals struggling to fit cushion covers at quarter past midnight on the pontoon was emotional, as was the food mountain that could sustain an Army that we were still trying to stow as the sun came up. Off the pontoon and on the line with at least 30 seconds to spare saw a start that was definitely not fitting of the America's Cup, well it was not that bad …… well we were not early. With the gradient being constant the boat was well trimmed by Yarmouth and Cougar was doing her thing very well, as Brad Butterworth would have said " this boat's got wheels" as long as it windy anyway. Things were going well and with at least several million boats around us, we definitely thought we were doing alright. The sail change that followed was not one that will have Sir Keith on the phone for the next America's Cup but who really cares when you are having fun. Stories were soon emerging from the crew about Dutch sounding relatives who had been founding members of RORC, all very surreal when you are only 40 miles down a 164 mile rhumb line. My linen trousers were getting a fair bit of stick as well as were some of the crew's tastes in the fairer sex… Anyway back to the sailing, Cougar was ploughing along with several class boats in attendance when Steve decided to tack back for Les Hanois. It was our best decision of the race. Cougar was in her element and the mighty queen of the seas was undoubtedly well placed as we powered through a very dark and windy night down the side of Alderney. One of our resident antipodeans' had bought some Bar-B-Qd sausages along for dinner, I liked them so much I thought I would let the fish try them as well - that's the sort of guy I am…… The morning sun saw us looking at an early finish - fellow Joggers were all around us as were the numerous boats that did not wave back…the finish just before 8am saw the friendly face of Peter waving us in and Cougar turning round to get back- what no party I hear you say? Some of us have to work…! The skipper and I are big fans of the 80's detective series Bergerac and the thought of no diesel in what looked liked a light forecast saw us heading to St Helier to look up Charlie Hungerford and Jim at the Bureau des Estrange (any offers French speakers?) and get some fuel. Leaving St H at just after 4pm we had a pleasant motor sail during the evening and popped the Canvas just alongside Cherbourg arriving back in the UK at just after 11 the following morning. Thank you to RORC and JOG, a great weekend's sailing and a great result as well. I reckon the concept of a sail-through off licence might be my idea for Dragon's Den next year. Sqn Ldr Badminton Racket….. Report from Oz Privateer, Class 3
After checking in on the Southern gate with Sandie we prepared for our start. Out of the Solent our boat speed was good and we were enjoying our position at the head of Class 1. As dusk set we set to warming a fantastic green Thai curry (thanks Jo). All the crew, bar Rob, tucked into the meal with gusto; Rob decided that Bread and Rice was hot enough for him, making him an ideal candidate for early 19th century prison food. Due to rising winds and choppy sea one of our crew revisited the curry; however, he did find a new use for our supply of zip-lock bags. Despite the bumpy conditions we enjoyed a fast passage towards the finish line on the way to which we saw Arcsine returning, confirming that we had spent too long beating past La Hanois. We soon cheered up when we saw the finishing vessel manned by Peter who flagged our finish, making it a JOG start and finish. On the finish line we picked up a French vessel whose battery had gone flat and towed them into the lock where we had to wait for the afternoon lock in. Our passage back to Beaulieu was nicely broken by a stop over in Guernsey, where we enjoyed a nice meal and a few pints. Well done to all those who took part and thanks to RORC for the organisation. Report from Arcsine, Class 3 (The crew report) The excitement was obvious as we set out from Hamble in the chilly dawn topped off with a perfect grey British drizzle.. We had finally got our full 8 man team for the Fastnet on board, but more importantly (Becky, great to have you on board but this being penned by a member of the FDU, priorities have to be strict) the bow team had a new bungee system up front that they were just itching to try out! After a slightly r lit up like a served start we made good progress up the Solent, enjoying the big fleet racing. Approaching Hurst, a seamless headsail change was ruined by the breaking of the port genoa halyard shackle, allowing it to fly free. Luckily the rib with the photographer had already had Phil posing on the rail but let's admit it, free-flying halyards aren't the coolest look for a racing yacht. Despite many a death defying attempt to regain it using a boat hook we had to wait until after the Needles, when for tidal reasons and to clear our wind Kathy tacked south for a half mile then back onto port. Then we could send a crew member up the mast. Our lightest crew member fearlessly offered to ascend the dizzying height. After a long and heart stopping ascent and descent (bosun's chairs get the big thumbs down) the halyard was discovered to have become untied from Sa's harness and the whole procedure was found to be in vain. Undeterred, another crew member stepped up, much to the dismay of the grinding team. Eventually all was ship shape, Joe took the title of Team Arcsine's Victorious Hero and the full crew lined the rail once again. A long port tack out to the west was only broken by a couple of genoa changes with just a slight confusion as to whether the sheets ran inside the shrouds or out. Finally the wind started to veer and we tacked and headed towards The Casquets Separation lanes. Soon afterwards the visibility dropped and we were caught in a sudden squall. Fearing for the life of our new No.2 a hasty bare headed foresail change was completed and a reef taken in on the main. On top of the difficult decisions as to where to cross the lanes we had very shifty winds. Kathy was relieved to find as we entered the first lane the wind was such that the tacks were parallel and perpendicular to the lanes. So as there wasn't much shipping we were able to tack on the shifts. Darkness fell as we ventured across the second shipping lane; the horizon behind us becoming a mass of pretty green and red lights…of the fleet to our rear! We managed to avoid nearly being mown down by big fast moving vessel, lit up like a Christmas tree, which we could see for hours in her fine blaze of glory. The cold started to hit home but with our AIS we were happy with its track.Hot drinks became more essential as crew morale didn't drop so much as become lost to the world of nod. Rocco's snores once again provided some light (at least, loud) entertainment. Once we had rounded Guernsey we freed off slightly and made good speed for the rest of the night, with the wind only dropping off as we approached the finish, we tried flying the assymetric but the wind wasn't playing the game. Nail biting indeed was the countdown of the distance to the line and even better was the spotting of all of the boats finishing behind us as we turned and started to make our way back on the long journey home. Immediately after finishing our Italian chef Rocco produced a round of Fresh Italian coffees and his speciality Italian biscuits (that have crossed the channel a few times already!) to take away the morning chill and celebrate our finish at 08.08.30 am. The return voyage was mostly taken up with debates about what food we should have on board for the Fastnet. The debate reached such a fierce level over whether rice pudding should be allowed that we resorted to a vote. You will all be pleased to know that our crew will have the pleasure of rice pudding for the long cold nights of the Fastnet. Lack of wind caused us to have to motor most of the way back, dropping the main after passing through the Alderney race, and making for rather a bumpy ride. Safe in the knowledge that we had gained a 15 out of 58 (but actually 3rd British boat, surrounded by French boats) we counted down the hours until we could be back in our beds, dry and fast asleep. Until the next time… Report from Whistler, Class 5 There was a palpable lack of enthusiasm amongst the team before the race, with a fine lunch in the Yarmouth, or even a lie-in in Cowes being put forward as preferable alternatives to hauling down the Solent and round the Channel Islands with the wind on the nose most of the way! In addition the Skipper, a rock-like beacon of strength and inspiration for the crew, was under the weather having suffered a severe mauling at the hands of a pestilential, voracious, blood-sucking insect (no, not Gordon Brown), leaving his throat swollen like an advanced case of Hashimoto's disease (go on, look it up like we did!) After a few pints and fine supper at the Island Sailing Club, the crew had a relatively early night - except Slippery who, on condition that she turned up the next day with a supply of bacon butties, was allowed to sleep off the boat. We now had a somewhat scenic trip along the southern English coast as the breeze encouraged us to continue on port tack out to the longitude of Portland. It was fairly uneventful but difficult to keep on the numbers as the wind was light and the swell lumpy… The wind veered a little and we tacked onto starboard to cross the Casquets TSS and made our way towards Alderney. The wind and sea built and, although we changed down to the No:3 and reefed, once again the crew were depleted by 33% due to sickness - in reality the conditions weren't that bad but combined with fatigue and a general malaise it was becoming hard work… We had an interesting "experience" with a larger competitor somewhere north of the Casquets light who dropped down toward us, increasingly erratically and finally nipped right across our bow and off toward Cherbourg; no idea who, but poor boat control at best - and downright dangerous and irresponsible at worst… We pressed on towards the Hanois light. As conditions (on and off the boat) deteriorated - and with the foresight of a calculated finish time some 12 hours in the future - the Skipper took a pragmatic decision and decided to head for St Peter Port, shelter, sleep and a nice meal… oh, and the obligatory bottle of red for breakfast! On reflection, a race that we found gruelling to try to compete and return within a reasonable time over a weekend… and every boat is entitled to one "off" weekend! |
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The crew of Oz for this race was the full Fastnet Crew for this year and included the life blood of Electron and other Vice Captain, Paul Harding.Our pre-race preparation included a convivial evening enjoying dinner at Gins Farm and having a few tactical drinks. Morning of Friday 13th dawned with the wind coming from the South West! Our tactics from the previous evening did not factor in a SW wind, which is probably why we stood on La Hanois too far. (Good excuse).
