Sail-World.com : LYC Bluepoint Construction Late Autumn Race 2 and 3 reports
|
LYC Bluepoint Construction Late Autumn Race 2 and 3 reports |
Bluepoint Construction Late Autumn Race 2
Daybreak over the River Mersey revealed 18 yachts already out on the early tide eager to compete in the Bluepoint Construction Late Autumn 2 race. The hugely experienced team from Quattro set almost identical courses for the two classes lengthening class 1 towards the back of the race.
A tricky start in the southerly breeze and strong tide caught helmsmen by surprise with the usual keen starters of Di Rich, Musketeer and Saphoenix OCS leaving them to return to the line. In the meantime Catch 32, Magic Moments and Skukusa took the initiative on the first beat of the windward leeward course set.. Skukusa initially had to use all their guile to break free from a tactically astute Clarevoyant.
At the back of the field, Musketeer and Di-Rich had started to make amends, cross tacking through the fleet, with Musketeer overtaking and pulling away towards the top three. At the front, Skukusa took point with Magic Moments struggling with a bit of red/green colour blindness and Catch 32 close behind.
The crew of Di-Rich, despite late decisions from their skipper, managed to keep the boat moving and had changed headsail to suit a softening wind which did not suit Catch 32, who had thrived in the earlier conditions. Tango began to drop off the pace of the front half of the fleet after some kite handling errors, and as the hour mark approached Musketeer finally managed to claim the head of the fleet from Skukusa.
As the fleet approached E4 for the last time it was anybody’s race and full concentration was needed for every nerve racking tack. No-one wanted to over-stand the mark but few were not overly keen on doing too many tacks either.
An agonising run back to the finish ensued with the wind dropping to 0-3knts. Stopwatches at the ready, the fleet began to cross the line with Musketeer leading the way.
In Class 1 Mighty Max powered into the lead with Another Nods Snappping at their heels up the beat. Daydream Believer sailed an outstanding race only to be beaten by Mighty Max on corrected time with Another Nods bringing in a third . Sleeper after their victory in race 1 of the series faultered to come in 5th.
Bluepoint Construction Late Autumn Race 3
Every one knew the wind was coming, every forecast agreed the conditions would worsen in the afternoon with gale warnings in force!. As the thirteen yachts and crews brave (or daft) enough to race entered the river, they were treated to a momentary lull. An impressive squall soon hit before the start and several yachts were forced to retire.
The frantic start saw Mighty Max clear by inches with the rest of the pack hot on their heels beating into the south, south westerly breeze gusting 33 knots. Saphoenix had a last minute rope/propeller incident, Di Rich thought conditions were too much as did Mistoffolees and returned to the safety of the Marina.
In Class 1 Mighty Max was “rounding up” out in the lead in the heavier gusts. F Word and Daydream Believer remained glued together to G9 with Another Nods charging up behind Max. At G9 Nods pulled off a race winning manoeuvre by choosing to stand on for a short while before tacking and heading to E4, a move that allowed them to catch Max on the beat. A kite run back to E4 and then a beat to E6. At this stage the fleet was still quite close and the Prima pack now led by Nods began to really stretch a lead.
F word and Daydream went on different tangents with Daydream sticking to one tack in the Eastham channel and laying E6 with The F Word narrowing the cone across the middle of the river. Daydream popped out miles in front and was looking good for a win, however a serious spinnaker wrap cost time and Nods powered away to win an excellently sailed race.
Mighty Max had an impressive broach, snapped the pole and ripped a sail. F word and DDB couldn’t find the breeze until Dingle and took off at 13 knots to plane over the line. Another Nods won by some margin with F Word second, 32 seconds behind were Daydream with Max some 5 seconds behind them in fourth.
Class 2 with by now a drastically reduced number had 6 yachts left in the fleet. Catch 32 led the pack with the heavier design excelling in the breezy conditions as the yachts reached Dingle , Skukusa and Magic Moments chased hard with Musketeer as ever sailing well behind for the short leg to E2.. A heavily but wisely reached Tango and Legless followed the pack with Musketeer managing a cheeky spinnaker launch showing some real skill on the tight reach.
The fleet were set a gruelling task of beating to E6, always tricky with this wind direction with the lee of the land creating wind holes. Legless and Tango chose the mid river and multiple tack option, and they too suffered light winds at E6 with the tide just on slack. Musketeer took line honours but Skukusa were first on corrected time with Musketeer second and Catch 32 in third.
So far this series has been more than competitive! In Class 1 its anyones guess and until this race Daydream were the leaders on 5 points, after todays result Daydream, Another Nods and F word are all level on 8. Class 2 see Musketeer out in front after Di Rich’s retirement with just 6 points, Skukusa on 11 and Magic Moments on 12.
www.lyc.org.uk
by Andy Farrell
12:00 AM Tue 24 Nov 2009 GMT
Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.
If you want to send this story to a friend, please use link below
http://www.sail-world.com/USA/LYC-Bluepoint-Construction-Late-Autumn-Race-2-and-3-reports/63645
|
Based on your current download speed Sail-World has delivered large images (660 pixels long side.) If you would like to see only small images (300 pixels long side)
click here . For medium sized images (500 pixels long side)
click here .
| |
