2008 Race Reports

Race 9 - Alderney Race

Report form Tearaway Too, J 120, Class 3

Friday rush started early for Mr & Mrs Skipper as they had to be at the boat early to get her off her mooring before the low water springs made it impossible. Rather good news for the rest of us, as by the time we arrived all was rigged and ready for the off. So, a delightful motor across to the start line. Slightly different crew this time as two of our usual suspects had some sort of appointment with Golf. We're not too sure what this is, but understand it involves wearing questionable shoes with flaps on and dragging a sack of bats around a field whilst wearing hideous sweaters covered in diamond patterns in unpleasant colours. What some people will do for their weekend's relaxation!

Our journey to the start was punctuated with talk of where all the stringy bits went and the theory of gybing an asymmetric kite for the newer members. Conversation was halted by the arrival of a stonking stew (with dumplings!!) - thank you Ruth - which set us up, raring for the start.

Full main and the No2 got us off to a good start and a slick kite lift saw us toward the front of the fleet. A bit of fun and games with Oz as we jockeyed for position until we climbed above them on the run to the forts. Closing the forts we set up for the gybe. Not really our greatest moment, but on the second attempt all went well and we were able to witness one of our number (who should remain nameless) expose an embarrassing amount of bottom (builders beware!) whilst demonstrating a rather splendid broach! (There but for fortune. . .)

Approaching Bembridge Ledge we elected to drop the kite early as it was getting a bit busy on the mark and then kept out of Sandown Bay reckoning we would have better winds to compensate for the hit of the tide. As we approached the acceleration zone towards St Cats we felt a little overpowered and put in a reef before heading off, keeping to the east of the rhum line for the reach to Alderney. Splendid sail across - lovely stars, lots of wind (up to 24 kts) with red, green and white lights all around. These gradually thinned out and as dawn broke we could see only half a dozen sails.

The westing tide brought us back up to the rhum line and we sailed straight into Braye harbour. On reflection we might have been a little lower than we needed to be.

Crossed the line, thank you race officers for being there to time us in and began the search for a mooring. J Fever graciously welcomed us alongside, helped with our lines and made us secure. Beer o'clock and bacon sandwiches rapidly followed whilst we were whirled around and rocked by the poisonous sea state in the harbour. Even though we had carefully positioned ourselves to avoid a rig collision, the combination of wind and chop conspired to engineer one! This was the point we decided that this was not a place we really wanted to be so, in the interests of not causing any damage and needing some peaceful sleep, we elected to cast off and head for Cherbourg. A quick troll round the harbour looking for alternative moorings and we were off.

It wasn't until we had cleared Braye and were motoring into some particularly unpleasant overfalls that we noticed the wind speed indicator measuring 4.5 Kts. This was clearly not true and a quick glance up the mast provided the answer. The anemometer was at a crazy angle of about 45 degrees off centre. Half a dozen big seas later and it was dangling from the wiring. A dozen more and it was gone! Damage had already been done.

So we ploughed on in undisclosed wind speed and direction and within a couple of hours arrived in the calm of Cherbourg. Found a pontoon, tied up and all was well.

Martin went up the mast to retrieve the remains, just the screw in plug and a quarter inch of rod, but thankfully no damage to the rest of the wiring, whilst we speculated on the damage to the maintenance budget.

Shortly after our arrival another refugee from Alderney arrived, not a JOG boat and as we were cracking beers and snacks a familiar shape pottered down the alleyway in the shape of Paul and the fragrant Miss Vicky on Electron! A little assistance to ease their landing and once they had put Electron to bed, we settled down to a splendidly congenial afternoon, which in one way and another developed into a foray into town, via the Yacht Club, for a sumptuous dinner in the Café du Paris. Good call, Paul!

Return to boats, nightcap and a reasonably sensible turn in for a 4 am departure for home. The North Easterly dictated a return through the forts to make the tide in the Solent. A pleasant sail for the first half of the journey punctuated by some "fun" with the French Navy boarding a fishing vessel directly in front of us that caused some consternation.
Important Note: boats painted grey with guns on do not show on the AIS - even when they are 300 yards away. Then the wind gave up so we motored the rest of the way.

All in all, a great weekend - thanks again to all at JOG for making it happen - and apologies for not being at the reception. We promise to try to do better next time!

Report from Electron, Beneteau 31.7, Class 5

The best way to demonstrate Electron's race readiness and unique method of organisation is to show the edited "transcripts" of various telephone calls leading up to the race start:

Call 1 - "I think I have managed to fix the autopilot" said Skip: "We had sheared a pin in the drive". Vickie replied with a "Jolly good" and added that at least it meant the helpful "third hand" would be on the boat for the race.

Call 2 - "Hi Stu, so you've fixed the engine then?" again Skip talking to his reliable maintenance man. Stu has looked after all of Skip's boats for years and Skip detected a slight nervousness in his voice. His trepidation was confirmed with comments like: "The cooling water flow now looks good", and: "we think we found the problem", along with a final happy and cheery: "should be good to go. . . ."

Call 3 - This call was made by Skip fairly close to Electron's departure from the dock for the start. It was made to "she who must be obeyed" at Skip Towers! It was that sort of call nobody wants to make and went something like this: "Er hello sweetie. Are you very busy?" To which Skip received an assertive response detailing an agenda of decorating and general hard work which, in all conscience, he should have been involved with. Cringing behind his mobile phone he continued: "Er, hmmm, well! I seem to have left all the food at home and I need to get the boat ready for the race. Do you think you could pop the stuff down to the Marina?" (Response cannot be printed) Suffice it to say that the stalwart crew of Electron received their victuals and Skip has now sold his soul to the Devil - Joke really ;o)

After all that Electron arrived at the start nice and early so picked up a buoy. Skip and Vickie then proceeded to discuss race tactics: "Have you got your watch?" said Skip. "It's on the boat somewhere" replied Vickie and she started to turn the boat upside down. The watch was not immediately found but, as usual, the watch suddenly beeped for no apparent reason and gave it's location away. Vickie retrieved her most unwanted possession and added: "I think I'll try and wear it for a while - you know, train myself to get used to it!" Skip wisely decided not to comment on the fact that in his limited experience women cannot be trained to do anything!

Into the start sequence all was going well when Vickie lost her brand new - yes, her brand new, hat over the side. She stood at the mast staring at her expensive hat drifting astern. Skip took one look at her face and decided he could not bear the long haul to Alderney with "that look" and immediately put the helm over to execute an almost perfect "hat overboard recovery" under sail in the 5 minute pre-start.

Bizarrely, Electron still had an excellent start at the front of the fleet and Skip is seriously thinking of chucking Vickie's watch over next time. . . . .The kite run was exciting and fast (see video on Electron web site) with Xara trying to unsuccessfully roll Electron all the way! At the Forts the gybe went completely wrong and an enormous wrap threatened to put Electron out of the race. Several minutes of effort ended with the kite down below and Skip's expensive prescription sunglasses on the seabed - his face was even worse than Vickie's face at the start!

While Vickie packed the kite Skip put up the "emergency chute" and recovered some of his composure by catching up Class 5 and overtaking a few boats before Bembridge. Once around Bembridge Skip elected not to go into Sandown Bay which in hindsight may have been an error and for the rest of the night it was a case of "kite?" "No kite".

Now, as always, it's during the night the interesting stuff happens when racing offshore. Interesting Occurrence 1 - Finally, as the boat settled after Bembride Skip told Peter (the auto pilot) to take over. All was well for a while until with a screech and a beep he gave up the ghost and refused to work. Skip's only printable observation (apart from several "buggers") was to advise Vickie to get some sleep "pronto" as it was going to be a long hard night. Suffice it to say it was not Electron which veered in front of Only Just in the night because the boat was hand steered all the way!!

Interesting Occurrence 2 - Sleep deprivation plays nasty tricks. Now Skip had for once had a very busy week. In fact, he had even worked! The point being he was down on his slumber quota. Vickie? Well she's a girl - enough said! In the middle of the night, Skip helming, all the instruments went dark. This "lights out" is usually a symptom of low battery voltage so Skip leaned over and started the engine to charge the batteries. As he was trying to get the instruments back on the engine temperature alarm went off. He stopped the engine but the alarm continued. In his tired state he just could not fathom why the alarm would not stop until Vickie, rudely woken from her sleep, complained that Skip had not cancelled the AIS proximity alarm - oops, a quick luff resolved impending doom.

Note from Skip's boat job list: "Change the damn AIS alarm so it's a different tone to the engine alarm"

The rest of the race was relatively uneventful and once in Braye harbour when the engine was started it became apparent the engine temperature alarm did go off in the night and Electron managed to drift onto a raft with Xara so engine repairs could be started. Skip would like to apologise to the JOG fleet. He is sorry that he had to take his prodigious drinking skills to Cherbourg rather than assist with the party at the Yacht club. His excuses are that Electron was being damaged on the raft and he also needed to source some engine components. Either way the crew of Electron celebrated the race end in style and kept the team on Tearaway company in the fleshpots of Cherbourg!

Final note - Peter the auto pilot is now in Raymarine hospital. His operation is imminent and it is hoped he will recover in time for the next offshore.

Additional - still cannot find the problem with the engine overheating.

Supplemental note - Skip has ordered new sunglasses and is also wincing at the cost of new windex and B&G wand for the masthead. It was an expensive hour in Braye!!!

Report from Only Just, J 105, Class 4

Andy Hill & his league of ladies lead the charge for Class 4!

Moored up off Cowes on Friday evening Andy Hill, John & the Only Just league of ladies, Ruth, Emma, Fiona & Becky, started as they intended to continue with a glass of wine and a stylish supper of smoked salmon & cream cheese sandwiches (crusts cut off, of course) and tapas style nibbles. The Only Just crew has high standards, and hot or not, won't settle for standard canteen fare.

Crossing the line to a storming start we made good way, the Death Star black spinnaker up and propelling us fast forward, we soon caught up with the RORC fleet and were spearing the efforts ahead of the rest of Class 4 as we passed the forts. All was going swimmingly until a slightly mis-judged jibe left Andy feeling a sudden pain in the wallet, and reaching for the spinnaker repair tape. Sorry Skip!

So it was round Bembridge under white sails. Longue Pierre & Dragonfly opted for the allure of the bright lights of Sandown on a Friday night, cutting in close to the shore, but we stayed out slightly, whilst the rest of the fleet behind us headed off to our port side. We stayed ahead as we passed St Catherine's point and the light faded, although 2 boats did later veer across us under the cover of darkness, one whom we hope was under autohelm as we worryingly couldn't detect any movement on deck. We decided to hold our course rather than follow the rest of the fleet who seemed to be opting for a closer to Cherbourg headed course. Andy was rather glad of John's male company as the evening's conversation veered from topics as diverse as epilation to nail varnish and back via castration, tea trays and some bloke called Jeff. At first light (about 0330), the fractional spinnaker was up and we were almost planing at times, nudging 12.7 knots.

Sometime later, perhaps sensing Emma's fatigue levels flying the spinnaker under heavy loads, the tack line took decisive action and with a sudden "pop" sheered, creating a crew-warming few moments of frantic activity whilst we reeled it back from it's jubilant flying position. With the Alderney coast line looming large, it was under white sails that Only Just added a second consecutive "first across the line" position to their list in 10hours54mins.

So once we'd picked up our mooring, the customary champagne breakfast followed for the tired but happy crew, who thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment of watching later boats pick up moorings. After a well deserved siesta it was time to explore, and, Andy and John (chivalrously escorting the ladies) made a beeline for The Divers where we spent a happy afternoon overlooking the beach. Fiona went off for a paddle and to test the waters but reported back that it was far too cold for anyone sensible to be contemplating the swim Andy had suggested for the afternoons activities. Another round proved the ideal alternative pastime, before we later headed over to join the merry throngs at the Yacht Club. An appetite building walk up the hill was followed by a delicious dinner and then the last water taxi back to the boat ahead of another overnight crossing back to Hamble.

Report from Longue Pierre, Dehler 38, Class 4

What a fantastic weekend! First leg of this multi-activity weekend was, of course, sailing. Had a quick re-read of the Si's seeing the RORC fleet flying storm sails then watched Class 5 start. Seeing several broaches, one of which took the yacht directly towards Gurnard, someone came out with the helpful comment that we did not want to do that. Again our Nav software was up to its normal tricks, showing our track over land and without our IT executive on board we decided to ignore it again. We hoisted the masthead runner just after crossing the JOG start line. Our nav plan was vague - keep to the centre of the Solent for the stronger tide. We found ourselves with Monet, wondering how they managed to sail so fast and deep with a Sigma's small kite - and Only Just, who were sailing hotter angles just like a Hare, they passed just ahead first from the left then from the right gybing frequently. Having had a good look at our bow they then did the same past our transom. A large red ship decided to come to play and both Longue Pierre and Monet engaged in a brief game of chicken with it before Monet, who was closer, decided they were about to lose and turned to windward or had they only just noticed it sneaking up from behind at 20Kn. Will, on the helm, saw our opportunity and snuck below and ahead of them, then it was time for a slick gybe at the Forts and a close spinnaker leg to Bembridge. What a fantastic view we had of the fleet in the sunset. With Monet hot on our heels we left the drop to the last minute and dived in towards the Island out of the tide. Inshore, we found ourselves struggling with gusty winds and were forced to work hard at helming, trimming and endless skirting of the heavy #1 genoa (thanks Tom!) to keep speed up and stay in the lighter foul tide of about a knot.Only Just went even further inshore and we were waiting for a repeat of the Yarmouth race (sorry Andy). It was very satisfying to see our hard work pay off as we slowly pulled ahead of Breakout, who were further out in more steady wind but stronger tide.The next decision was when to head South and Dave took us to to St Cat's and beyond before we finally turned with one of the Sigmas hot on our heels.

We reached across the Channel with white sails. Every now and then the wind would free us and in our excitement we would send Toby to the wave drenched foredeck to rig the kite. Every time he was ready to hoist, however, the wind headed us so we sent him forwards again to move the bag to windward where it slowly filled with salt water. Mainsail trim became the key to boat speed, with a lumpy sea throwing Longue Pierre around. It was a fantastic night for sailing and Will was kind enough to share his knowledge of astronomy with us, pointing out the famous constellations such as the saucepan and the W.We took turns to grab a couple of hours kip until we approached Alderney and roused the sleeping crew with the question "do you want to win a yacht race?", which is Deb speak for "get up". (Deb would like to inform the crew that this is her line, and should not be used on her). With the crew hiking hard, a helping hand from the tide and Dragonfly of Bosham close by, the race was on to the harbour but Dragonfly just pipped us past the post. Once across the line, we started the more difficult task of finding a mooring. We spent an unpleasant hour bouncing against Dragonfly in a 3-boat raft before they pointed out a fishing boat leaving the buoy off our stern. Recognising this as an opportunity not to be missed, we started to slip lines and within 30 seconds of their departure were safely tied to our very own mooring buoy for a bit of peace and quiet.

The second, and much anticipated, sporting event of the weekend was the traditional Tour d'Alderney. This now well-established event starts with the important skill of bike selection, as you pick through the bikes for hire, looking for one with a minimum number of defects.Skip is still trying to decide how his bike was selected; loose saddle and siezed brake was not fun. Once equipped, Stage 1 of Le Tour is a short stage, allowing riders to develop strategies for stopping the bike without functioning brakes. It winds from Braye, past the beach and up the hill to the vantage point from which Peter, Sandie, Harry and Tony were manning the finishing line. After a brief stop to thank the race officers for a splendid race and to admire the fine view, Leg 2 takes the riders down past Alderney Lighthouse with its fine foghorns to Longis Bay, with its German tank wall and the submerged causeway leading to a Fort. The beach provided the opportunity for stone skimming, ball games and a "refreshing" swim. Leg 3 continues around the island to a cafe with a leafy garden, where we enjoyed a light lunch and some of their "special" apple juice (the sort that makes you fall over after a few bottles). Leg 4 is the most challenging, with the younger crew members competing for the title of King of the Mountains on the long climb to St Anne. The route then bounces over the cobbled streets of the metropolis, dodging the buses, taxis and busy commuters, before heading off road for a circuit of the airstrip - a tiny patch of grass, perched alarmingly close to the cliffs. Dirt tracks lead to the pit stop - a hill, covered in soft, spongy grass, and overlooking two rock stacks housing a colony of gannets. The cries of the birds were shortly drowned out by the snoring from the riders as they fell asleep in the soft grass. The final leg of Le Tour goes down the hill to the finish in Braye, for the post-race party in the Alderney sailing club. A fine meal in Bumps restaurant was followed by a thoroughly pleasant sail home and finally some sleep.

Report from Oz Privateer, Prima 38, Class 3

Every one is trying out the famous Electron boat bread recipes (EBBR). Chris and The Zed had arrived at Gins Farm in plenty of time to transport the first trolley load of rolls onto Oz Privateer, the first batch consisting of The Zed's first attempt ever at bread making, which resembled biscuits and became known as balti biscuits, his second attempt, which was bacon and parmesan rolls looked good and tasted good. My late arrival with more of the crew bought yet more EBBR to Oz along with our evening meal. On the trip over to Cowes to pick up the rest of the crew we did decide that the only way to lighten the load on Oz was to constantly eat from the 5 min gun up until we reached the finishing line in Alderney, at which point we would have just enough food left for the trip back to Beaulieu and possibly enough for the odd Atlantic crossing.

Having picked up the rest of our crew from Cowes we headed for the start line, training two new crew members, on the way, in the art of mainsheet trimming and where the various bits of string went on Oz.

Our start was spot on crossing the line at the front of the fleet, however, jubilation was short lived when we were unable to hoist the kite because of a stuck pin on the pole end. Once Oliver had managed to free the pin we hoisted and concentrated on trying to recover the ground lost to Cajou who had blasted past us whilst we sorted ourselves out. (It was not until we were in the bar in Alderney that I realised the chap waving to us from the back of Cajou was Don Kennedy, the previous owner of Oz).
Our gibe at the fort went well after which we had great fun surfing on Cajou's quarter wave up to Bembridge where a well executed kite drop allowed us to tuck in to windward of Cajou and steal ground off them as we headed towards St Cats, after St Cats it calmed down enough for cooking to resume in the 45deg café, where a fine Mince a' la can't quite remember the other key ingredients, was the dish of the day. The Zed made the mistake of thinking that his balti biscuits would make a great accompaniment to the dish; however, we can all confirm that he was wrong. The rest of the night was spent trying to keep Oz cracking along at 8 to 10 kts, which in turn saw an early arrival at the entrance to Braye harbour along with Vespucci's Black Sheep and a smattering of other boats that we could not identify.

Braye lived up to its reputation of being a rock and roll mooring in anything other than flat calm weather. Once "rested" we made our way ashore for a well earned beer, a shower and a sleep on the beach. At 1730 our Sponsor had kindly provided plenty of drinks for the party at the Alderney Sailing Club who as usual hosted the massed gathering of club members.

It was great to see so many old and new faces at the party and as usual our race committee managed to start and finish us in great style.
Thank you to all involved for a great weekend and for organising the weather.
Oliver is having boat bread for breakfast for the next two weeks.