2008 Race Reports
Race 12 - The Blenheim Group Channel Race
Report from Just So, Class 3
We nearly missed the start but thanks to the tide being with
us we averaged 10 knots over the ground and reached Cowes 12 minutes
before the start.  We
then had an unusually competitive start for an offshore race,
followed by a pleasant fetch up the Solent and fish pie! We rounded
Bridge buoy, hoisted the kite and reached across the channel until
we had a brief interruption as the tack line snapped. We dropped
the kite, replaced the tack line and were back in business.
Unfrotunately we had to drop the kite 10 minutes later to get
up around the Casquets. We put the kite up again after the Casquets
and went on a tight reach towards St Peter Port. We dropped the
kite as we entered the Little Russell channel and finished off
the castle at 8.30 a.m. in pleasant sunshine.
The reception at the castle the next day was good fun and enjoyed
by all the crew.
Thank you to JOG for another wonderful race.
Report from Electron, Class 5
Two weeks before the race Skip was sitting down in his office
deep in conversation on the telephone: "How much?" he
gasped: "You must be joking. . ." From the reply and
the look on his face it was obviously not a joke.
Followers of Electron may recall a couple of themes in this season's
race reports; Peter the autopilots consistent failure and Vickie's
beeping watch. The telephone conversation was not about repairing
the crews irritating watch! 
Skip resigned himself to a burial at sea for the poor, now confirmed
deceased Peter, and also the upheaval of fitting a new autopilot.
The anticipation of the cost rounded his shoulders even further
as he sat listening to the engineer on the telephone: "Really?"
Skip smiled and perked up as the Raymarine Engineer generously
totted up all the refunds and discounts for the new kit.
Suffice it to say Electron now has a shiny new autopilot.
As Vickie joined the boat Skip was on deck smiling: "Meet
Raymond" he grinned and handed her a wireless remote control
for the autopilot. Vickie raised her eyebrows and sighed: "I
suppose this means you will be steering even when you are off
watch then?" and handed the gizmo back to Skip: "What
a good idea - hadn't thought of that" he replied.
The weather was not bad for the start of the race. It was one
of those "shall I shant I" days where one is not sure
of what to wear. Nice and warm now but could be cold later. Then
again……..
Clothing decided Skip and Vickie then discussed sail options:
"It's all sorted" grinned Skip: "I looked at the
weather and I have loaded the right kites for the forecast - it's
going to be a great sail" (guess what?)
The start came all too quickly but at least there was enough breeze
for a west going start. Boats were a little shy of the line because
of the tide. Starts are quite hard for a double handed crew so
both Skip and Vickie tend not to be sightseeing or gazing around
the boat. From the Electron video it did look like there was a
bit of a "kafuffle" at the pin end though.
A clean start saw Electron behind Alchemist, Xarifa and Imperator
(as usual). At least it was not a windy beat but a nice sail down
the Western Solent on one tack. In fact, the whole race was a
bit like that!
As the sun set the lead boats seemed to slowly pull away much
to Skip's frustration. Another frustration was he had loaded the
wrong kites - the heavy reacher would have been perfect but that
was left in the shed - letting Skip see a weather forecast is
obviously a liabilty. 
Vickie, resigned herself to listening to Skips doom and gloom
about "wrong sails" and "we'll be last that's for
sure" for the rest of the race and asked if she could go
off watch. Skip instantly agreed and stroked Raymond's remote
control: "I'll leave you two boys alone then" she said
and ducked below.
A fantastically clear night made the channel crossing very pleasant.
Even the ships were well behaved with one "big beastie "making
a large course correction to duck Electron with masses of room.
Sunrise saw a lumpy sea around Casquets and Bucks Eagle on Electrons
hip. For what seemed ages the two boats tussled and luffed with
Bucks Eagle finally managing to get past - much to Skip's consternation.
So much so he decided to try the light reaching kite and managed
to go sideways for the few minutes it was up. Fortunately, the
kite survived even though it was outside its design parameters!
Vickie just sighed and tidied up the mess. . . .
The final run down the Little Russell was done in a building foul
tide. Skip discussed options with Vickie and decided to go rock
hopping to stay out of the tide. This manoeuvre apparently caused
some entertainment for the boats still in the Little Russell as
from where they were sailing it looked like Electron was on the
shore.
All said and done the manoeuvre was somewhat premature and did
not give any advantage until nearer the finish. It did, however,
provide Vickie with some entertainment as Skip plotted his way
through the inner channel and told her stories of when he was
on "such and such boat" and hit "so and so rock"
or "the time the fog came down" etc etc.
All she wanted to say was shut up and concentrate on the nav but
she's just too nice!
Being finished by a big hooter is always a pleasure and to finish
the St Peter Port race so early an even greater pleasure.
Once ashore a breakfast at Skip's favourite greasy spoon with
the crew of Draig'y was arranged and they all settled down for
a good old English breakfast. At this point Vickie said to Skip:
"So did you notice?" Skip's face had a look of sheer
panic as he thought: "what? Notice what" and run his
mind through the various options:
1. Hair? ("nope - looks a mess like it always does")(Sorry
Vickie but Skip did say that….)
2. Lost weight? ("cannot tell in oilies or that baggy sweatshirt)
3. Make up? ("Don't be silly. . . .)
4. New shore side kit? ("nope")
"b****r, I'm gonna be in deep do do if I don't reply right"
thought Skip. He decided he might as well be hung for a pound
as a penny and with his usual diplomatic prowess replied: "What
are you on about? I noticed nothing" and shoved some baked
beans into his mouth.
"My watch, my watch" said Vickie as she agitated he
wrist in Skip's face. Skip's reply was something along the lines
of "so what" until Vickie elaborated that she had finally,
after months, worked out how to turn the beep off. Skip did not
even notice. . . .
A working autopilot and no beeping watch - what on earth will
we write about now?
Thank you to Blenheim Group for the fantastic prizes and mementoes
and also for the very generous party "support". Thank
you also to the States of Guernsey for their support and the Vin
D'honnuer and finally, thank you to the race team. Skip is pleased
he did not keep you waiting too long. . .
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