http://www.flickr.com/photos/jogoffshoreyachtracing/

Report from Substitute, Salona 37, Class 3

Having built confidence in light winds in the Nab Tower race it was going to be an interesting race in the predicted heavier winds to St Vaast. All of the forecasts were similar enough to inspire some confidence in them.

Big tides meant that we needed to be clear of the Beaulieu entrance by mid afternoon if we were going to be sure of not running aground on our way to the start. With all crew aboard we set off for Cowes where we were able to fortify ourselves with a diet of chicken casserole and a precautionary stugeron each. (We subsequently discovered the motion of the Salona is nothing like the old Dehler 34RS and we probably did not need to resort to anti-seasickness pills).

The start line had a strong easterly current running through it and demanded a degree caution in order to avoid being set OCS. After the start signal we quickly hoisted our asymmetric kite, which gave us the drive we needed to keep J fever in sight.

By the time we all reached the forts it was clear that no one had managed to establish a large enough lead to cause concern at which point we settled down for a white sail race to the finish.

During the night we realised how cold the sea had become over the winter and the chilling effect it was having on the wind. When on deck the 3 layer system had to be increased to at least 5 layers plus very fury hat. When off watch it was difficult to warm up and heating will be high on the list for Red Zeppelin when she arrives.

Apart from freeing off at times and then having to harden up at other times it looked as though the rumbline was the optimum course to steer. This tactical decision held true all the way past Barfleur until the last 5 miles when the weather gods decided that we had had it too easy. A massive header meant that we had to put in a tack or two to make the finishing line, just behind J Fever. During the night when we were freeing off, Revive had opted to stay high, allowing her to drop in along the coast line and make ground on the rest of us who stayed low. This excellent move placed them firmly in 1^st place (Well done).

With some time to wait for the lock to open we decided to set up our auto helm, which is why any one observing our antics would have noticed us sailing round and round in circles, whilst bacon butties were made.

Once inside St Vaast harbour we enjoyed showers, had a beer, got a picnic of red wine, ripe brie, pate and bread from M Gosselin, booked a table at the hotel Fushias, eat lunch on board and went to sleep.

Having woken warmed up and sort of refreshed. We went to the excellent RS Divers drinks party at the Yacht club, where Peter and Sandie were on hand ensuring that every one was made welcome.

Due to the forecast predicting strong winds later on Sunday for the return trip we decided to eat then depart. The meal that we had in the Hotel Fushias was fantastic and was an experience that will remain in our minds for years to come.

At 2230 BST we set off from St Vaast in calm conditions. A rolling watch and working Auto helm (thanks Don) allowed us to enjoy a few hours below keeping dry-ish and warm-ish. By the time we had entered the Solent the wind, as predicted had swung to the NE and was gusting to 30kts. We were glad that we had stuck to our decision to leave when we did.

Thank you to all of the race officers and every one who took part for another great JOG race.

Report from Blustery Day, Beneteau 38s5, Class 4

2010 seems  to be shaping up as the year of many reunions on Blustery Day. For the first offshore of the season, I was delighted to bring together friends from way back. In 1977 I bought a Hornet from Peter Gillies in Leigh on Sea, and raced it at that year’s World and European Championships with Edinburgh student Marsali Baxter (now Taylor). Both those events were won by ken Hervé, whose son Oli joined Peter, Marsali and me down memory lane. Marsali flew down from Shetland to join us –lucky the ash cloud has gone!

The boat is in decent fettle, not much new for 2010 other than oil, battery and stereo, but of course every job is left to the very last minute, so, with diver scrubbing, I was finishing up all the other bits and pieces only hours before the start. Oh, and traffic made all the crew late as you would expect. The prospect of some nasty weather and the aftermath of the airline chaos knocked a few entries out of the fleet, but, in the event, the forecasts improved in the final 24 hours and we got what we were told. 15 to 20 knots just south of west, slowly veering and freeing us on the approach to France.

Plenty of puff at the start had me explaining that First 38s5s like Blustery Day, with the iron keel, lack stability compared to most of our competitors, particularly when sailed 4 up with no-one hiking, so no kite for us at the start. We did experiment briefly just to prove the theory correct and give us all a little practice, but the boat and crew were much happier under headsail. We lost a little ground, but were pretty happy nevertheless leaving the Solent, as the aroma of dinner reached the cockpit. Cottage pie and colcannon were on the menu and struck a harmonious chord with the conditions. Some boats, especially those who are much stiffer, opted to come nearly hard on the wind and climb a little to the west. We, along with some others opted to crack a little, concentrate on boatspeed, and wait for God to bend that wind nicely for us. We sailed at between 50 and 55 degrees true wind angle all the way till the final couple of miles, when we needed 2 or 3 tacks to make the finish.

Quite a cold night for us old people, and a surprise for our youngster who typically considers himself indestructible, to discover human frailty and regurgitate his dinner! We gassed the night away in reminiscence, all enjoying the fairly robust sailing, but in balance with the elements and with each other. No dramas, even though I forgot to fit the ceiling bungs (false deck has sort of built in dorades without much of an upstand) and whoever was in the leeward berth got dripped on.

Best of British bacon sandwiches prepared us for France. Finished at 0909 and locked in as soon as the gate opened. Tidied up, rinsed the colcannon off the sleeping bag, had a pastis at “Le Marina” then got out the barbecue and cockpit table for spare ribs and spicy chicken lunch. Sleep followed, then a convivial drinks party with the fleet and the day rounded off with an excellent dinner at the “Chasse Marée”. Locked out and headed home.

The forecast shift to the north waited till we were only a couple of miles from the Needles, so quite an easy and comfortable run, and we were alongside at the Royal Southern just after 1000.

Our result was, if anything, slightly better than I expected in the conditions, so everyone is happy, coming again and looking forward to seeing you all next time in Deauville. Thanks as ever to Peter Chartres whose charming management of all necessary elements ensures our satisfaction

Report from Just So, J109, Class 4

The trip over to Cowes was not an encouraging start to the evening - the forecast "4-5 occasionally 6 in the afternoon, decreasing 4-5" was late in what it was meant to do and this, together with wind over tide made the Solent a wet and bouncy place. However, we found a sheltered buoy to tie onto, had dinner and watched as the waves reduced as the tide turned. The start had plenty of excitement though, as spinnakers were hoisted and crews struggled to get them under control. Great kite reach out of the Solent, with Just So hitting over ten knots at several points, whilst racing against Jibe all the way. We managed to avoid some of the chaos seen behind.

We went round the forts and dropped the kite, and were off to Bembridge, where, for our first time in JOG, we were told by Jibe that we had no overlap and so no rights! (they were correct - we were about 6 ins short of an overlap). We then set off on a tight fetch across the channel. It was then decided to harden up onto a beat and this was kept all the way across. Early in the morning Red Arrow passed in front of us, sailing on a lower angle. Keeping high paid off as the wind, which, having backed by 10-20 degrees through the night, then veered to 270 degrees, shifted back left and dropped, leaving us in a good position for the finish, but still needing a couple of tacks to make it.

We had Ruben and Guy from RS Divers on board. Last year Ruben was on Jahmali, which won our class. We weren't able to match that, but were pleased with 4th in those weather conditions.

A very pleasant vin d'honneur, followed by a good dinner, rounded off Saturday nicely and by leaving straight away afterwards, we had a pleasant trip back before the strong northerly set in.