31.7s in the Garmin Hamble Winter Series - Week 8
by Andrew Phelps 7 Dec 2005 01:42 PST
4 December 2005
Lack of wind meant that Race 8 of the Garmin Hamble Winter Series looked for a while like it wasn't going to happen for the 31.7s racing under IRC4. By midday the wind eventually built to a consistent 6-8 knot breeze and allowed the race committee to set a simple windward leeward on the Hill Head Plateau.
With the strong weather-going tide and the 20% penalty OCS flag Zulu flying, the entire fleet was very cautious at the start. With the 31.7s closely bunched, Tai Pan found herself pinned to windward of the fleet, and with the risk of being swept onto the committee boat had to gybe round and ended up crossing the start-line in the second row.
Kurketrekker had the best start with Electra, Manaru and Sonic Boom close on her heels. Kurketrekker, however, soon started to suffer in dirty air from one of the larger boats in IRC4 and tacked off to the right of the course in company with Whistler and Tai Pan. Manaru, Electra and Sonic Boom continued to the left, splitting the fleet.
On the left, Manaru led Electra over the first half of the beat, while Sonic Boom who only rate with a #3 were suffering in the light airs. Positioning herself on the port layline, Electra managed to gain the advantage and rounded the windward mark ahead of Manaru and Sonic Boom.
Out on the Starboard layline, Whistler, Tai Pan and Kurketrekker were caught out by a wind shift and the strong cross-tide and had to reach into the mark significantly behind the leaders.
On the downwind leg, Whistler showed her usual turn of speed managing to overtake Kurketrekker, while the rest of the fleet held their respective positions.
With the continuing light air and time running out, the race committee sensibly decided to shorten course at East Knoll. On the last beat of the season, Electra and Manaru held their positions out in front, with Whistler managing to claw her way through the fleet back into third.
With the sun warming our faces and just enough wind for some great technical racing, this was a fantastic end to the 2005 season. Many thanks to HRSC for running a great Winter Series – The 31.7s will be back for 2006.
31.7 Class Results - Race 8
1st Electra GBR 8198T Andy Phelps
2nd Manaru GBR 6993T Tony Dickin
3rd Whistler GBR 7592T Mark Lloyd
Series Overal Results:
31.7 Class Extract
1st Electra GBR 8198T Andy Phelps
2nd Tai Pan GBR 6991T David Jobson
3rd Whistler GBR 7592T Mark Lloyd
31.7 Results in IRC4
6th Tai Pan GBR 6991T David Jobson
7th Electra GBR 8198T Andy Phelps
8th Whistler GBR 7592T Mark Lloyd