Dinghy Sprints Race report : 14 March 1300
Published 10:03 on 9 Mar 2020
An early season workout for the dinghy fleet certainly lived up to expectations, 4 short races in winds that occasionally reached 25 knots gave all an exhilarating and exhausting day.
The race team placed the committee boat well offshore so that the racecourse could have a decent windward leg in towards Woodside bay, and waited for the competitors to leave the haven of the creek. Ten sailors set off, the patrol boats led by Rob Andrews and Tony Pope watched on keen to practice their recovery skills, they were not left disappointed. JJ Lawrence decided that his Laser Radial was not quite ready for the new season well before getting to the race course, but managed to practice his capsize drill a few times before doing so. Getting slightly closer to the start line the RS400 of Steve Sheridan and Chris Andrews dumped their crew and damaged the boom on the skippers head at the same time. This left the RS400 of Sam Prime and Emma Baker in the fast handicap to keep the crowd entertained they did not disappoint.
All 4 races were started under flag Whisky, the Oppies (Noah Evans and Alice Pope) stayed close to the start line and accelerated on the gun, the RS Feva (Charlotte Andrews and Charlie White) fetched towards the line at full speed, a blur of spray and grinning crew, whilst the RS400 careered around weaving between the fleet before heading precariously for the first mark at approximately the same time as the gun went off. Luke Sheridan smug at still being on the racecourse, the sole Sheridan and the sole Laser, eased into a beat and contemplated the down wind leg with some concern. Downwind in 25 knots is not Luke's strong area, fortunately getting a Laser upright again is, so after giving us the full house of capsizes, and completing a race, it was time to go in.
The RS 400 climbed its own Everest and managed three races, the spinnaker remained in the sock after proving to all that it really was not sensible to fly her. Race 4 was started just to give those that finished it bragging rights, by now the Oppies had established their place, Noah, a really solid performance taking the conditions in his stride and consistently just ahead of Alice. Both impressing us all with their seamanship and stamina. The only other survivor was the RS Feva, who just seemed to get better and better, had a huge amount of fun and mastered the conditions.
The winner overall on Handicap was Noah, 2nd Charlotte and 3rd Alice. First Fast Handicap (4th overall) Sam.
Nigel Talbart
PRO
Last updated 12:19 on 25 March 2024
