RS Vareos at Burnham on Crouch Sailing Club Asymmetric Open

by Paul North on 21 Jul 2016 Saturday July 16th was the Burnham Sailing Club Asymmetric Open 2016 and event three of the RS Vareo Magic Marine Grand Prix. It was a glorious day at the beginning of the mini heat wave with temperatures in the middle 20s and lots of sunshine.

Burnham Sailing Club sits on the bank of the river Crouch in Essex where it forms a long tidal estuary between Southend and Clacton, flowing into the North Sea above the Thames. At this point the river runs pretty much East West and is around 400-500m wide. With high tide at 10.30 on the day and racing starting around 11.30 the ebbing tide proved to be a significant feature (the locals told us it was Neaps so not as bad as Springs!)

With a good W/SW stiff breeze a windward leeward course was set with the beat against the tide, the windward mark close to the South shore and the leeward gate on the other side. The start line was in the middle of the river and had to be crossed on each upwind leg.

A total of 16 boats competed: a mixed fleet of four RS Vareos, three RS200s, seven RS Fevas, a Buzz and a 29er. Launching was from a plastic floating pontoon and involved dropping the trolley over the side and sliding the boat in – a new experience for the RS Vareo sailors – somewhat daunting but in the end proving to be OK.

In the first race Cheryl Wood and Paul North took what seemed the better angle down the middle of the course while Mark Smith headed for the North bank. Richard Holmes had arrived feeling a bit under the weather and decided not to join the first race.

It became apparent why Mark and the other local sailors were tacking in and out of the shallows near the bank – the tidal stream in the middle was strong! While Cheryl and Paul put on a good turn of speed through the water Mark was building a significant lead away to their right.

Approaching the windward mark meant sailing well past it to be able to tack and beat across the river crabbing significantly sideways! Once round the mark the apparent wind dropped significantly so what felt like a strong wind to hoist the kite became much more manageable. Paul found a good line down the right side but hadn’t spotted how fast he was approaching the marks on the other side of the water and ended up virtually sailing past before realising his error. The downwind legs were MUCH shorter than the upwind in the strong current.

Meanwhile, well out in front Mark near the right bank was approaching the point of tacking across to the upwind mark when he realised he had neglected to go through the start line on the way past. Having passed the downwind mark Paul was confused to see Mark coming down the side of the course, kite hoisted, to get back around the committee boat! A friendly shout from Mark to Paul “don’t forget to cross the start line” on lap two avoided him suffering the same fate.

Even with the extra leg, Mark finished first with Cheryl second and Paul third.

Race two followed soon after and although Paul and Cheryl were getting the idea of needing to sail upwind in the slower water Mark won comfortably with Cheryl again second and Paul third. Richard also joined race two and came fourth but that was the last time he sailed that day.

The boats were pulled out onto the pontoon for lunch and much discussion was had about the strength of the tide. It was also clear that as the tide continued to ebb the river was getting narrower and the better water near the North bank was getting quite shallow in places!

After a great lunch provided by the lovely ladies at the Sailing Club we returned to the water for two more races.

In Race three Cheryl had a great start and on the first beat Paul was able to take advantage of a shift that enabled him to make a lot of ground parallel to the bank in the shallows gaining an advantage over Mark that he was able to hold on to. By this time the entire fleet were zig-zagging in short tacks over the emerging beach on the beat. Likewise, after rounding the windward mark the preferred option was to sail straight across the water to the central fast flowing channel then gybe and sail straight down the middle. Cheryl first, Paul second Mark third

The final race saw the wind really pick up and the extra speed available made heading further out from the beach a little more productive. Mark reached the windward mark first, hoisted his kite and capsized on the gybe. Cheryl seeing her opportunity to pass hoisted, gybed and quickly followed him into the water! Paul approaching some distance behind could see several capsized boats and closed the gap considerably, rounded the top mark, hoisted his kite and promptly capsized caught by a strong gust on the gybe although he managed to stay dry.

Text book approach at this point is to uncleat the main and drop the kite before righting. Paul, already last, opted for the “try to hang on to anything when it comes upright” and following a hairy 50m at speed across the river with the boat at an alarming angle managed to bear way and regain control until the gybe which saw him back in the water and the boat turtled! The natural order was restored, Mark first, Cheryl second, Paul third which was the overall result on the day. Congratulations to Mark.

Thanks to the whole team at Burnham Sailing Club, race officer, safety crews, galley and helpers – a great day’s sailing in a lovely location.

 Sailor                             R1.   R2.    R3.    R4.     Total,