2007 Race Reports

Race 3 - Cherbourg to Cowes

Report from J Fever, Class 3

Skipper was persuaded that an hour before the start was quite soon enough, so we emerged from the marina to see class 5 drifting towards the harbour entrance, and lurked well away from the zone militaire to watch class 4 and lay our plans. The plans didn't work out , but the wind filled in and we had a good sail, with soft spots. This time we were not so lucky with the shipping lanes, and given that the AIS gave us 0.2 of a mile and we know it has a discrepancy between our position and that of the shipping, we took avoiding action, but were aware that our competition had made ground during the manouevre.

We had more kite hoisting and changing practice as the wind filled and faded. We even got out the new 1.5 oz and dazzled the crew. As we approached Bembridge we could see that for the fleet offshore the wind was increasing and that they were creeping up on us.

Thank you very much to the committee for all their hard work and hours of lost sleep to finish us all, a lovely weekend and I am sure our spinnaker changes must have improved.

Report from Cougar, Class 3

Waking up to the special sounds and smells that greets you in the morning after a JOG night out make you realise how lucky you are sometimes. After a much better start on the compact line, we were off and running and were reasonably well placed for the freshening breeze that powered our mighty queen of the seas along for the first few hours. A breakfast of Toasted Bagels with ham and cheese from the Elf did wonders for Crew Morale. What followed then was a fairly stop-start race until late afternoon when power reaching saw us powering in to Bembridge doing close to 9 knots on occasions- awesome sailing. As we rounded Bembridge our friends from Jahmali popped round behind us and as we give them more time than a Jewellers, it was time to sail for the moral victory… quote of the weekend as we came into the edge of Cowes Roads came from the other Elf " Is it me or do you think that the boat above us ( twenty yards away) is going to hit that big yellow flashing can ?"

Bang! We hope no damage was done!

Well done to the Jahmali guys for their win on the way home. The late finish saw Ben leaving us to clear up the boat as he could not face another night in the company of sailors, he has changed!

An awesome weekend and as ever thanks to Peter and his team, yours is the voice of tranquillity after a long hot day chasing the breeze. The good crew of Cougar now know how tough a class we are in. The results coming back show just how tight things were and we are looking forward to St Vaast with the hope that we improve….Air Vice Marshal Badminton Racket!

Report from Whistler, Class5

It may have been noticeable that our report from the Cowes to Cherbourg race lacked not only its usual fund of anecdotes but also most of the detail; this had little to do with the electrical problems on board but was due to that fact that theSkipper and the Swami had decided not to have a kip after the race but simply shower, pop into town and have breakfast. Why the problem you ask? Because they also decided to share a carafe of vin rouge with breakfast, before returning to the Cherbourg Yacht club for the JOG drinks party… and the rest of the day and evening… reports from the aft cabin on the Skipper's condition have no place on a public website!

Maybe it was this, or the ice under foot, that accounted for the Skipper's uncertain footsteps along the pontoon the next morning - but he is nothing but resilient! Following a nice bowl of hot oats, he managed to put most of the string in most of the right places and get Whistler to the start. It seemed almost pointless putting the sails up but somehow at the gun there was there merest sniff of breeze… we crept over the line, toward the outer harbour where it kicked in and we were off. Electron had had a flyer and was virtually out of sight as we tacked to clear the outer wall and settled down. Now, what the previous day's intake had done to the crew is a matter of conjecture but something had clicked - slightly cracked off, Whistler settled into the groove, slowly pulling away from Annokia and Xara and reeling in Electron. After some 3-4 hours of great sailing we were through to the front of the fleet… and then the wind died…

Cue more bobbing around as the Swami kept us moving on zephyrs and willpower alone. When the wind eventually built sufficiently to make a definitive course Electron and Alchemist closed us down. AAAH! Being on our worst point of sailing (nearly too broad for the genoa and not quite deep enough for the kite) it looked bad, until the Skipper had a good idea (quite sad to see it come and go so early in the season!) After making some incomprehensible calculations (even to himself) and scrawling vague hieroglyphics on the tide atlas, he decided to bear off sufficiently to close reach under the kite. This time we had read the tides much better and the plan worked, building a lead on the water against our nearest competitors.

Worn out, the Skipper had a kip, and returned as Whistler passed through the Forts and tacked inshore; bleary eyed and confused, he fired up the nav computer, in time to spot that we were in the trap off Ryde, and a mere 3 boat lengths off the green bits - which prompted a fairly quick reappearance on deck and course change!

We stuck in the shallow stuff all the way up the Solent, listening in to finishers ahead… the wind continued to tease but freed enough to make it past Osborne bay with tacking amongst the anchored cruisers. We heard Act of Defiance finish ahead of us, depriving us of being first boat home in Class 5 - but that's life, we could have been parked on Ryde Sands!

All in all, a great weekend, with a bit everything thrown in - cheers!

After another great reception - thank you JOG - sipping(?) wine and beer in the sunshine, we stayed too long as usual. But we had got those extra hours of rest! Having struggled out for dinner we seemed to get a second wind and decided the fairground was beckoning - oh yes! Having started on the pump action shot guns those truly foolhardy amongst us decided to "go for the big one" and onto that big hammer thing we got! Amazingly our stomachs remained intact and the ride was actually enjoyed. Dodgems next….French style!!! Ruth had already fallen foul of Mike's driving skills and damaged a rib so had to sit one out. Having fought our way through the French teenagers trying to impress one another (we think?) we commandeered 4 and we were off, no prisoners, and the grins were plain to see as the crew went all out to damage each other. What sort of tactic was this! Health and Safety? You have to admire the French sometimes. So, having nearly broken Chris's leg, well done Jo, we staggered back for Neurofen, and a blood pressure test….we kid you not!! Apparently, we were alive and therefore ready for the day ahead. That was bound to ensure we were on top form for the early start!

Sunday morning loomed rather too quickly for the crew and the wind. It didn't look good as Class 5 started and drifted slowly away….mmmmmm… guess the prayer mat hadn't been found quite soon enough! Please god let there be some wind, we can't retire again and build the wrong reputation! Towards the outer breakwater we could see wind, Longue Pierre heading for the breakwater and finding it first. Spinnaker up, Spinnaker down. We were trying our best.
As the race proper started, the wind picked up and a steady North Easterly was enjoyed for most of the day. We pointed well and kept up to windward of most, with eyeball on Zest, just ahead but below us.

Then the wind tired - oh dear. With no boat speed, Martin had gone off watch for 10 minutes, he was called on deck to produce some magic. Harry Potter can stand down. With the wind filling in again and backing, we found ourselves perfectly placed for the assault on Bembridge, as others were forced to reach across to the east.

With Zest ahead and always in our sights, we chased her to the forts and beyond, tacking well inshore past Ryde and into Osborne Bay. I've never had such a good view of Ryde pier! One last tack into Cowes found us creeping up the beach within sight of the line. We managed to take Zest and keep her at bay for line honours, dignity regained.We were very happy, if a little cold. Bring on the summer and St Vaast. Thank you again to JOG for a great weekend, and well done Peter for finding that Prayer Mat on the Ferry back!!

As the alarm sounded, announcing the stalwart crew of Electron should get up and ready for the 7 am start back Skip muttered something along the lines of: "I don't like the Class 5 starts - too early" But no sympathy was given, particularly with the girls chorusing together: "Well you should get a bigger one then…."

On the start line there was no wind. The water was like glass and the race team seemed to have that masochistic evil gleam in their eyes. You know, that sort of look which announces: "ha ha, you're screwed. There's no wind and it's a long way to Cowes" with the added anecdotal leer of: "I'm going back on the ferry!!" Electron started mid line as there looked like there could be some breeze. The kite would not even fill but by trimming and working very hard, Electron slowly pulled out in front of the fleet.

Skip spotted a breeze line and announced "10 boat lengths to some breeze" However, the breeze seemed to tease and move away in front until finally Electron caught it. It was significantly more pressure and Electron shot off out of the harbour leaving the rest of the fleet standing still. The kite was dropped and as Electron beat north the breeze slowly reduced in strength until Electron was drifting.

The Navigator made an error approaching Bembridge which cost Electron dearly in time, allowing Whistler to get away. Rounding Bembridge Electron was tacked inshore to get out of the tide. Skip, rubbed his hands and announced: "Lets go rock hopping" What happened next was very interesting. Electron almost stopped dead accompanied by the sound of what can only be described as a deep and resonant gong! Skip put the helm over thinking he had hit a rock, but looked puzzled as the shore was still a way off. As Electron picked up speed the crew on the rail squealed (girls for you!) and pulled their legs in to avoid being hit by an unlit racing mark. It seems, racing marks all have their own sound. And Electron has a yellow over black go faster stripe on her bow!

Short tacking past the fort and into Ryde Sands, the usual foul tide tactic was fun until for the fourth time one of the girls announced: "Oooh look, it's the steeple at Ryde again" and: "there's the pier again" In the end Ryde slipped by and the breeze lightened as usual towards the finish.Drifting over the finish was accompanied by the radio announcement:"Stand by" followed by Peter flashing!!!! The girls loved it!

The usual thanks go to all those involved in organising the races and the reception in Cherbourg. This weekend is always one of the best and it was fantastic sailing.