(Report from Barrie on Dione)
On the water Race Officer, Dione, was expecting fairly light south westerly wind. What we had prior to the start was very light North Westerly but just enough to sail. It was decided to do a very simple course to D, on the Clynder shore, and back.
Given the light wind and slightly more tide than we expected, not all boats made a good start at the right end of the start line, Circe & Dione got the best of it but even then, there were wind variations such that Circe pulled away slightly. Catriona, behind, tacked right in the hope of better wind but found little. Those starting at the left-hand end of the line in more tide fared badly. The wind veered more towards North – meaning the D mark could be laid without tacking by some who were paying attention to the shifts and the tide.
Once round D it was a drift back to the start under spinnakers with Circe still leading from Dione then Catriona. The leaders rounded within the hour so commenced the second lap just as the wind picked up.
The second lap was much faster than the first but with wind variations, those in the middle benefitting, Dione overhauled Circe, and Catriona was closing fast by the second rounding of D. The reach back to the finish was more sporty but Dione held her lead and Catriona, ably assisted by Fergus the dog, managed to stay ahead of Circe. Further back, Athene had not spotted that there was a second round and hence sailed a bit further than she needed to.
Results: 1 Dione, 2 Catriona, 3 Circe, 4 Thalia, 5 Iris , 6 Halcyone, 7 Athene
PS Athena’s skipper further noted:
“Athene came last. Jointly and severally her helm and crew got it into their heads it was a shortened course, sailed to the shore end of the line and was 4th over that. She spent quite long time sailing to the anchorage before she realised there were no GODs around. Thalia being and crewed by smarter people had gone for the pin end sensibly to do a second round. Athene eventually turned round but it was too late do anything other than come last. Person writing race report might enjoy to put in a line about this idiocy.🙃”
