Bembridge Redwing and One-Design late June racing
by Mike Samuelson 30 Jun 23:41 PDT
29-30 June 2024
Bembridge Redwing and One-Design late June racing © Mike Samuelson
Early/late tides over the weekend meant that if the Redwings and One-Designs wanted to race over the weekend they had to leave the harbour on Friday evening and moor overnight at Under Tyne. In the event there were only two Redwings (Tara and Quintessence) four (three to race) One-Designs.
With Tara a bit delayed, the three One-Designs went off first from the line at Garland, to Pepe, Fitzwilliam, Garland and a running finish at Under Tyne. All headed in towards Silver Beach only going about when it started getting a bit shallow! First to round Pepe was Simon Allocca in No 1 closely followed by Alexander Ross in No 8 with No 9 helmed by Mark Hodgekinson a bit further back. On the run to Fitzwilliam No 9 flew her spinnaker and although they caught the others up a bit, they were still some way behind the leaders. On the beat to Garland, Alexander had a senior moment and rounded Under Tyne instead which put him out of contention. At the finish it was No 9 by 30 seconds ahead of No 1. The two Redwing's meanwhile followed the same course and although Quintessence had the better start, it was Tara who rounded Pepe first. It was 'even stevens' on the run to Fitzwilliam with Tara just rounding ahead; a lead they maintained to the finish.
There was little or no breeze on Saturday morning but with the forecast suggesting better sailing conditions later in the day it was decided to postpone the Redwings and One-Designs until 16:30. In the event a good decision and helped deconflict the planned racing for the Victory Class who as part of their 90th Anniversary celebrations were visiting the Eastern Solent for the weekend - see separate report.
Although certainly more breeze than earlier in the day, the first race kept out of the stronger tide to the north of St Helens Fort and was a simple windward/leeward course using the inflatable pin and Under Tyne for the two Redwings and three One-Designs. Quintessence lead off the line but despite best efforts could not find the extra boat speed on the beat to remain ahead of Tara. A similar story in their second race albeit Quintessence held onto her lead until half way down the final leg from Janson to Under Tyne. Close racing for the three One-Designs over the same courses with Charles Perry helming No 8 winning both races. In the both races Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 was second with Simon in No 1 third.
The breeze had backed to the NNW and increased to 10 + knots on Sunday morning. Still only two Redwings but there were four One-Designs keen to race. 'One longer race and what about Cochrane' was murmured by Mike Toogood prior to setting off from the Club in the launch, so that was exactly what the Redwings found themselves doing! Starting at Under Tyne, they had an excellent beat to Derrick, then a long run to Cochrane, a beat to Britten and a run to the finish line at Under Tyne. Robin in Quintessence got marginally the better start as they 'match raced' to Derrick, but as the previous day, Tara rounded first. It was level pegging on the run to Cochrane but Quintessence should could not get far enough ahead to take control of the lead on the beat to Britten and it was Tara who finally crossed the finish line after an hour and a quarter race a mere 1 second ahead! With three wins over the weekend, the Fortuna II 1950 Medal was won by Tara.
The One-Designs had a slightly delayed start and when they did actually start it was all rather bizarre. No 1, helmed by Simon and No 8 helmed by Charles Perry were on port at the pin end of the line, No 2 helmed by Roy Burrows was well behind the line and No 3 helmed by Stephan Ludwig was three minutes or so up the beat! Initially set Britten to Tara (2), Janson and back to Under Tyne, Simon reached Britten a long way ahead having overtaken Stephan on the way. Roy and Charles meanwhile were some way back. With the breeze veering more to the West it was decided to change the course slightly over the radio with Fitzwilliam being substituted for Janson. Unfortunately No 2 failed to hear (possibly a dodgy VHF) so although they rounded Fitzwilliam they kept going towards Janson and only realised that something was wrong when they saw No 8 turning back after rounding Fitz. So with No 3 out of the running after her misunderstanding at the start, Simon won by a country mile with Charles second and Roy third.
Late morning racing next weekend, and as we move into July, hopefully more boats out racing.