Dart 15 Winter TT at Datchet Water Sailing Club

Dart 15 Winter TT at Datchet Water © Emma Garton

The Dart 15 fleet returned once again to Datchet for this, their fourth Winter TT of the season. After a prolonged spell of grey, cold and wet weather, thirteen competitors arrived to mild and finally dry conditions.

Winds were very light to start with but were forecast to build during the day. Aside from the weather, other talk over boat rigging was about the three competitors who had "upgraded" to newer boats and were trying them out for the first time today. Two of these boats have been given somewhat interesting names already by their new owners (both boats were previously un-named so no bad luck hopefully). So it was that "Hot Rats" and "Nice Pair" had their maiden voyages. The former was already liveried up with their new name. Mercifully, we are given to understand that the latter was only a temporary name for entry purposes and the poor boat will be given a much more elegant name in the fullness of time.

An early briefing from the Race Officer confirmed a trapezoid race course alongside club racing. The Race Officer then headed off to start the first club race. The plan was for our first start to slot in around the end of that race to minimize mixing of the fleets on the course. As any race officer will know, this requires some skilled timing to make it work, especially in very light winds. But this has been standard practice when we have raced previously at Datchet and, as always, they pulled it off extremely well.

The Dart 15s made their way slowly out to the start area in good time and kept out of the way whilst watching the club fleet complete their first lap and head into their second one. Once they were well clear, the Race Officer set off race one for the Dart 15s. At least we knew exactly where to go because we had watched the club fleet go round already!

Dart 15 Winter TT at Datchet Water - photo © Emma Garton

Having kept well clear of the club racing, a few boats found themselves some distance from the Committee Boat when the start sequence went. In the light airs, some were concerned whether they would be late to the line. Despite this, race one saw our only boat over the line with Ray Gall (Carsington) obliged to dip back and re-cross. Jason Clarke (Marconi), Liam Thom (Shanklin) and Paul Tanner (Shanklin) were among those that had positioned themselves well and set off from the middle of the line across the lake. Steve Sawford (Rutland), Paul Craft (Worthing), Jenny Ball (Marconi) were a little late to the line but were at the Committee Boat end. As the breeze was trying to slowly fill in from the right, they got a nice lane across the lake which put them in the front pack. Jason was the first to the windward mark, followed by Paul T, Steve, Jenny, Liam and Paul C. The fleet did a broad reach down to Mark 2, followed by a run to Mark 3 and then the final reach to Mark 4 before rounding to start the second lap. Jason was first to round Mark 4 and tacked to head back across the lake. Jenny rounded in second and rolled the dice - standing on port tack with a hope that the breeze would continue to build from that side of the lake. Liam followed suit, whilst Paul T and Steve followed Jason along with much of the rest of the fleet. When it came to the cross, Jenny and Liam had pulled in front. The downwind legs were closely fought with the added interest of an unsuspecting club Laser at mark 3 but Jenny just managed to hold on to take the lead with Liam in second. Jason came in third and Charles Watson (Halifax) had put in a fantastic second lap to come in fourth with Paul T in fifth.

The wind had continued to build a little more in line with the forecast which was welcome to all. The Race Officer got the second race away promptly and this time the start was all clear. Jan Elfring (Draycote) attempted a port hand flyer and it all went to plan or he got away with it, depending on your point of view. Paul C also tacked off straight away at the Committee Boat to find the breeze that had given the edge to Liam and Jenny the race before. Jenny, Christophe Clarke (Marconi) and a few others hedged their bets and tacked halfway along the course whilst the others stood further on. At the first mark, Liam who had had the best start rounded first, followed by Jan, Paul T and then Jenny and Jason. On the downwind legs, Jenny and Jason had gained some ground pulling in Paul T. This time, the front of the fleet all continued on port tack having rounded mark 4. It then became all about making the right call on when to tack for the lay line given the wind direction was not entirely settled and the mark was some distance away. Liam had enough of a lead to be able to play it safe whilst Jenny and Jason tacked a little earlier which was enough to undercut Jan and reach the windward mark ahead. Liam went on to win the race with Jenny second, Jason third, Paul T in fourth and Jan in fifth.

Jan opted out of the third race as it had dawned on him that he did not know where he had left his car keys. So he headed back to the club to find them and also hear the happy news that, whilst out sailing, he had become a granddad for the second time.

Dart 15 Winter TT at Datchet Water - photo © Emma Garton

The fleet waited a short time for the club racers to finish their race and head home. The wind had continued to strengthen so for the final race, the race officer took the opportunity to lengthen the windward leg and increase the number of laps. Another clear start saw the fleet away in much fresher breeze and even with some occasional hiking upwind. It felt good to properly stretch the sailing legs. Jason was back on form and was first round the windward mark followed by Steve, Jenny, Liam and Paul C. Always fast downwind, Liam had caught up with Steve by mark 4 and the two of them had a tussle round the mark which gave Jason a bit of breathing space to extend his lead. The slight shifts in the breeze and banging the far right corner made calling the lay line correctly pretty tricky. Jason went first and Steve and Liam followed not long after whilst Jenny stood on a little further. The net result was that everyone reached the windward mark in the same position and distance from each other as they had left mark 4. Liam got past Steve on the downwind leg and was snapping at Jason's heels by the end of the second lap. But Jason held his nerve back on the upwind leg with Liam and Steve following. Jenny tacked off to get some clear air and to again roll the dice. As the event result was dependent on whether Liam or Jenny were in front of each other, Liam was obliged to tack back to cover. This allowed Jason to get clear and for Steve to retake second place. Jenny had closed the gap on Liam but rounded the mark just behind him. After another closely fought lap - Jason held on to take the win with Liam second, Jenny third and Steve in fourth.

Once ashore and well fed from Datchet's galley, Dave Russell, chief Dart 15 Pit Crew, did the prize-giving and the fleet thanked the Race Officer and everyone at Datchet for hosting another great event.

With three different race winners, only one point separating the top three places and countback applied to determine first and second - it was another closely fought Winter TT. Congratulations to Liam for taking the overall win and to Jenny in second, Jason in third and Paul T in fourth. The next and final stage of the Winter Series is at Grafham Water on Sunday 8th March.

Overall Results: