The wind was fair and the weather perfect for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon race. The flat calm of a quiet Sunday morning gave way to a light breeze from the south with the sun shining on the Gareloch to entice seven boats out for a course set by john campbell once a race card and whistle were sourced. The pin end was favoured although there wasnt much in it with catriona and circe jockeying for 1st and 2nd across the line near the pin. Ceres wasn’t far behind but nearer the shore. A few strategies in play on the beat down to A with catriona and hermes choosing to continue on starboard closer to shore and Luna heading out into the channel on port with Circe following suit but slightly closer inshore. Thalia, Ceres and Dione were somewhere in between but further back.
Luna pointed well to the mark and then cut back into shore and fell back slightly. Circe hoped to gain advantage on catriona on starboard at the mark but catriona’s choice to go in shore paid off and she was clear ahead at the mark. Hermes had to give way to circe and then it was onto a varying reach across to C with the wind swinging around and keeping crews busy with their spinnaker trimming. Circe pulled ahead of catriona as she hit a pocket while others jostled together a few lengths back. Luna lost her way with an unlucky absence of wind on her course. Circe made strong ground choosing to just about keep her spinnaker filled on a close reach but having to tack to make the mark. On starboard the advantage was with her and she pipped hermes round the mark. However, indecision cost her dear on the return to the finish with a failed attempt to take the advantage by raising her spinnaker only to follow Catrionas decision and abandon the spinnaker. Hermes made the right choice all along and opting for white sails pushed catriona to the line for second. The wind then started to drop and the followers made it over the line as the race officer decided whether to risk another round. The wind did tempt us with a brief rally but wise heads prevailed and the fleet headed back for ginger beer and nibbles at the club house as the wind dropped again. Order of finish catriona, hermes, circe, thalia, dione, Ceres, Luna.
A few strategies in play on the beat down to A with Catriona and Hermes choosing to continue on starboard closer to shore and Luna heading out into the channel on port with Circe following suit but slightly closer inshore. Thalia, Ceres and Dione were somewhere in between but further back.
Luna pointed well to the mark and then cut back into shore and fell back slightly. Circe hoped to gain advantage on Catriona on starboard at the mark but Catriona’s choice to go in shore paid off and she was clear ahead at the mark. Hermes had to give way to circe and then it was onto a varying reach across to C with the wind swinging around and keeping crews busy with their spinnaker trimming. Circe pulled ahead of Catriona as she hit a pocket while others jostled together a few lengths back. Luna lost her way with an unlucky absence of wind on her course. Circe made strong ground choosing to just about keep her spinnaker filled on a close reach but having to tack to make the mark. On starboard the advantage was with her and she pipped Hermes round the mark. However, indecision cost her dear on the return to the finish with a failed attempt to take the advantage by raising her spinnaker only to follow Catriona’s decision and abandon the spinnaker. Hermes made the right choice all along and, opting for white sails, pushed Catriona to the line for second.
The wind then started to drop and the followers made it over the line as the race officer decided whether to risk another round. The wind did tempt us with a brief rally but wise heads prevailed and the fleet headed back for ginger beer and nibbles at the club house as the wind dropped again.
1 Catriona, 2 Hermes, 3 Circe, 4 Thalia, 5 Dione, 6 Ceres, 7 Luna
President: