PYC Plymouth Gin 2018 Race Series Week 5 Final
A fine day for the last race of the series with excellent visibility and with a strong wind from the north east of between 16 to 20 knots. The spring tide was on the ebb about 2 hours after high tide and would undoubtedly have an influence on the outcome of racing.
Race Officer Mike Pearson set a longish course starting with a reach out to Duke Rock followed by a shy spinnaker run across the bay to Queens Ground before returning on the beat to the two Mallards Buoys. His words on the radio said that a second similar round would follow before he would set a second course, provided that there was time.
There were just five boats contesting today’s race and they started well on time with Mischief leading the way closely followed by Dogs Jorrocks and Sunburst, I Say Ding Dong and calvados all close together.
As they moved out into the Sound Sunburst with Dan Flanagan gradually overtook the first two and in due course reached Duke Rock just ahead of Ashley Crawford’s Mischief and Steve Wassell in Dogs Jorrocks. Away they went across the breakwater with Sunburst creeping further ahead but the next two having a fine tussle with Dogs Jorrocks catching Mischief at first then dropping back somewhat with I Say Ding Dong overtaking her but going more to the south with spinnaker getting rather tangled.
The beat proved the hardest part of the race with Sunburst deciding to take back across the sound whilst all others choosing to head down to the north and trying to offset the strength of the ebbing tide. Several tacks to come out of Cawsand Bay and a couple of boats unsure whether to stay on port tack or continue on starboard to make for the Mallards as direct as possible. Mischief made the latter choice and probably gained a considerable advantage. Sunburst came right across before taking down to West Mallard and did reach it first but Mischief had held her course well to turn second even though she did tack just too early and had to scramble to make the buoy.
The second round continued with Robert Fletcher’s I Say Ding Dong now in third place and striving to catch Mischief. Little Calvados, much smaller than the others, was gradually losing ground to the other four but gamely sailing hard to ensure that she would finish in a reasonable time.
Such a demanding race with wind and tide against all boats for such a lengthy beat meant that the Race Officer had little choice but to abandon thoughts about a second race and called it a day after all boats passed the finish after two rounds.
A fine last race of the series that all sailors will have enjoyed before retiring to the club house for a final prize giving and some chance to recover from the strong and cold wind.
Final Results for Race 8
IRC 1st Dogs Jorrocks, Steve Wassell. 2nd Mischief, Ashley Crawford. 3rd Sunburst, Dan Flanagan.
NHC. 1st Mischief, Ashley Crawford. 2nd Sunburst, Dan Flanagen. 3rd I Say Ding Dong, Robert Fletcher.
Final Overall Series Results:
IRC 1st Dogs Jorrocks, Steve Wassell 2nd Mischief, Ashley Crawford. 3rd Sunburst, Dan Flanagen.
ORC 1st Joie de Vivre, Adam James. 2nd Seascape 24 Demo, Peter Wanstall. 3rd Nautiboys, Wayne Mortiboys.
NHC 1st Sunburst, Dan Flanagan. 2nd Mischief, Ashley Crawford. 3rd Calvados, Keith Woodgate.