30/04/2009 Racing Report 25/26 April - first weekend of the season The Solent Dragon Fleet 2009 season dawned on a breezy Saturday morning on the 25th April, with a respectable turnout from the committed racers ... or so we thought .....
The prepared …. and the less so
Eric Williams had Ecstatic bobbing expectantly on the moorings, Thorkild Juncker and Jocham were out early tuning Cool Runnings, while in the Yacht Haven, Cavalier's varnished topsides gleamed in the sunshine almost as brightly as Tony's skipper's bonnet. Slightly less prepared Njord and Dilemma were carrying out final tunings.
Others in the flleet were missing in (alternative) action, the Bailey's were at Lake Garda, Fanfare still had hull repairs to complete, Jerboa was still in France, and Supremacy was still tucked up in a barn on the middle of the island warm and cozy.
Day 1 Race 1 of the Season – 25th April
As a result three boats came to the line, Ecstatic, Cool Runnings and Cavalier. The wind was southwest force four with a west going tide. Cavalier made a good start but slightly too close to the Squadron and Ecstatic crept through her further off shore with a more constant breeze. Ecstatic rounded Gurnard Ledge in the lead with Cavalier second.
Unfortunately Thorkild had taken the wrong course and went to Beaulieu! It was a shame after a great reach to Raymarine and a really good run over Stone Point to Royal Thames, Cavalier had gear failure and retired and Cool Runnings joined in the race again from Royal Thames to Raymarine got ahead of Ecstatic, was caught up on the leg back to Royal Thames but then took another wrong turn and let Ecstatic through.
A super day’s sailing, great course but a few teething problems. All good practice!
Day 1 SGM and Social – 25th April (evening)
The SGM at 6:30 held in the library at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club to confirm officers of the fleet. Rod and his team at the Corinthian laid on a great curry supper, for the fitting out dinner.
Day 2 – Race 2 of the Season 26th April
Sunday was a glorious morning with the wind predominantly southeast but fickle - flicking east and occasionally southerly. As a result of the walking wounded crews union - Ecstatic were unable to join the fleet, but 4 boats were on the start line – Cool Runnings, Cavalier, Njord and Dilemma – for her maiden race.
The island race committee sent the fleet to Gales on a fetch, Thorkild led around the first mark on Cool Runnings, followed by Njord sailing 2 up with a quivering, whimpering apprentice driver Mrs Pay at the helm, and BDA Chairman Owen Pay doing absolutely everything else as they went out 2 up.
Cavalier followed closely with Nick Jones' Dilemma bringing up the rear. The fleet was then sent on a broad reach on starboard to East Knoll, where Dilemma and Cavalier over took the wobbly Njord. After East Knoll a beat back to Norris - Cool Runnings went hard left but got over involved in a very large Warsash Series fleet, with the crowds round the mark, and dirty wind reminiscent of Cowes Week.
Because of the strong ebb, it was a long beat to Norris, Cool Runnings, Dilemma and Cavalier tacked in to the island shore. Njord stay over the Ryde Sands to keep away from the Norris nadgers. The island shore paid slightly allowing Cool Runnings to pull away. However leaving Norris to starboard was a challenge for all competitors as the Warsash fleet were rounding at the same time ..... leaving it to port.
After Norris the course took the Dragons back through the Island line and the fleet compressed with the tidal gate and set off on a fast spinnaker reach back to East Knoll. On the beat back to Gales the first three boats tacked near Air Canada to lay Gales comfortably.
The wind then headed south and with 2 Knots of tide on the nose, the last 500 yards was extremely painful. Dilemma on their maiden race overtook Cavalier on the approach to Gales and the race was more or less finished with a procession back to the line.
A gorgeous first weekend of racing - welcome to Cool Runnings, congratulations to Dilemma team for her maiden race, and may the remaining 22 weekends in the season be just as good!
