PYC Plymouth Gin 2018 Race Series Week 3

This week we had wind. It was from the South, South West and ranging from about 18 to 23 knots with pretty high tides approaching low tide. It may have been rather dull but certainly at the start of racing there was no rain. Not to say that that would continue for strong downpours were forecast for later in the day.

The first race at 10.00 o’clock was set a course by Race Officer Paddy O’Connor, starting with a beat out to F Buoy followed by a run over to Melampus that could just about stand a spinnaker being hoisted for those who dared to try. The return from there would take boats back to West Mallard and through South Mallard ready to start a second lap using F Buoy again but South Winter, a better spinnaker run before finishing at the Mallards.

Unfortunately only 7 yachts were available to contest this week’s races but they were to have great racing in finely contesting conditions.  First to show was Andy Williams’s yacht Keronimo followed closely by Sunburst with Dan Flanagan. All others were very close together and continued during the tacking out to F Buoy before gaps started to show as they turned for the run.

Sunburst crossed the line after two laps in first place as Keronimo, although leading, failed to complete the course by mistaking the finish line. I Say Ding Dong took the second place on corrected time ahead of Adam James in Joie do Vivre although only seconds separated them.

The second race started shortly after 11.00 o’clock with a three lap course starting with a reach over to Asia Buoy before tacking out to F Buoy then running down to the Mallards ready for the second lap. This used North West Winter and F Buoy with the third lap starting again with Asia but then only Melampus before finishing at South Mallard.

Keronimo led throughout but with a large handicap to overcome could only manage third place on corrected time. I Say Ding Dong had a fine tussle with Sunburst throughout and took first place even though Sunburst crossed the line ahead. Ashley Crawford took the fourth place and all boats completed before half past twelve, in good time to return to the club house for lunch and prize giving.

Results

 Race 4.    IRC    1st Sunburst, Dan Flanagan.                     2nd Mischief, Ashley Crawford.                    3rd I Say Ding Dong, Robert Fletcher.

                NHC.   1st Sunburst, Dan Flanagan.                     2nd I Say Ding Dong, Robert Fletcher.          3rd Joie de Vivre, Adam James.

Race 5.    IRC     1st Keronimo Andy Williams.                    2nd I Say Ding Dong, Robert Fletcher.            3rd Sunburst, Dan Flanagan.

                NHC    1st I Say Ding Dong, Robert Fletcher.       2nd Sunburst, Dan Flanagan.                          3rd Keronimo, Andy Williams.