Scarborough Yacht Club Lady Helm Race
by Chris Clark 21 Jun 2021 08:14 PDT
19 June 2021
After the cancellation in 2020 because of Covid-19, it was with delight the Yacht Club was able to proceed this year.
As is usual, the race took place Pursuit-style (explained below), with 8 Yachts at the start. With a low wind speeds of only 5 knots or less, round from North-East to East, Course L, Buoys 3, 5, and 8 were selected, which is the Club's shortest, and which contestants needed to pass buoys to starboard. With such low winds, the first buoy, No.3 took a long hour to reach.
With very light winds and a medium to heavy swell, keeping on a best line to steer for each leg of the race was a second by second challenge. It would carry the risk of an unintentional tack or gybe in the swell, however all helms managed this well. Two yachts had retired by 11:30am, but those who stayed in the contest displayed admirable persistence.
Three yachts deployed spinnakers for the section to buoy No. 8. Minutes later, as the race proceeded, wind speed rose a little to ease conditions and the first yacht crossed the short course finish at 11:47am.
Overall Results:
1 Dodjer - helmed by Jan Stallard
2 A Grand Day Out - helmed by Rachel Crosier
3 Vision
4 Betsy - helmed by Rebecca Goodison
5 Shileilagh
6 Dash