Vane A racing, Sunday 1st November 2015

This was the last of the Vane A series for 2015.  Sunday dawned in a typical November-ish manner, with thick mist, fog-horns sounding in the Solent, and almost no wind.  The forecast was for a 7 to 8 knot easterly, moving to south easterly during the morning.  This did appear from time to time, as did a little bit of northerly and a little bit of north-easterly thrown in.  The six boat fleet kept the crews mentally stretched in their efforts to unscramble the likelihood of the next shift coming from somewhere completely different!  The race officer for the day was Roger Cole, manfully coping with a limp due to a knee he damaged earlier, and our photographer was Alex Kennaby.

In the early boards, south east seemed to be the favoured wind direction, and Graham (mated by Shaun), Malcolm and Paul, and Mervyn and Andy scored points.

As the morning continued, Lewis (also mated by Shaun...  who was also limping!) and Mervyn and Andy found form.  By the end of the five heats, Mervyn and Andy were clear ahead with 18 points, 2 ahead of Malcolm and Paul with 16.  Lewis and Shaun, having elected not to sail a re-sail, were third, only 2 points behind.  Graham and Shaun (!) had identical points but were relegated to 4th in a count-back.  5th were Anthony and Lester with 7 points, and finally with 6 points were Jacque and Eric.

Of the different designs sailed, Mervyn and Andy's super-light narrow boat, built by Ray Baker, showed excellent boat speed in the conditions, but Malcolm and Paul had sailed exceptionally well as their heavier boat is not usually at it's best in light airs.  Special credit is due to Jacque and Eric for flying a spinnaker to good effect on one leg, and to Shaun for managing to mate for two boats!     

The next vane racing is on Saturday the 14th November, an MYA Vane 36 league event at which we are expecting to have some visiting boats. The following Saturday, the 21st November, is another 36 race which will be sailed in the Yachting Monthly Cup format for the Gosport Shield.  We look forward to seeing you all there, and don't forget that the YM Cup format makes an excellent spectator event.  Even if you can't sail in it, or come from another fleet, it is a great opportunity for refreshment in the cafe whilst enjoying the gladiatorial competition!

Mervyn