Category Archives: Race Reports ’24

Report from John Campbell, Circe

There is a conspiracy theory on the internet that says that boats cannot be propelled by the wind (you can’t see wind) but that they are really driven by rain (which you can see). Of course, we all know what conspiracy theories are like, but I can’t help feel that I started to believe in this one. As the boats left moorings and headed towards Blairvadach, the wind dies, and the rain came down in a very visible and forceful downpour! Yet, the boats seemed to make slow progress, never quite coming to a complete stand.

Charles’ calls for an on the water RO saw Ceres volunteering, but with no whistle, a transfer from Catriona to Ceres was organised, only to see Charles’ whistle head to the bottom of the Gareloch. Others had a lack of stopwatches (see essential item list for racing), so Circe ended up with the role, even though sailing single handed. The sequence started, then stopped when it was realised that no boats would make it to Z in time!

Course L4 was optimistic in such light winds, but it was worth a go. Both Catriona and Circe were over the line and had to duck back, but the fleet made a fairly tight start together heading up to A. The wind lifted and Zephyrus and Ceres made good use of it, and at A Zephyrus rounded first, followed byCatriona, Ceres and Circe with the others not that far away. C was the next mark, although you could have thought that Catriona and Hermes thought otherwise as they headed straight down the Shandon shore. The tide had turned at 3pm and was heading out, so it could be argued that sitting in the middle in such light winds wasn’t a good idea. Patchy wind continued, some spinnakers were hoisted (and hung, limply) but then, ever so imperceptibly the wind tried a bit harder. Those with the spinnakers up at the end of the run (Athene and Luna) benefitted and somehow, despite all the different courses and sails, the main fleet ended up close together at C. Athene took the lead at the mark, but had to give water to Catriona and Circe, and there was a general congregation which Ceres was involved in as well. Through it all, Luna arrived at C, rounded nicely and avoided the gaggle, whilst Dione and Hermes were a bit further back.

After the rounding, it was Catriona and Luna who were ahead as the fleet headed back to Y to finish. Circe tried for the single tack and almost managed it, leaving Luna behind who really overstood the mark. Incredibly, given the closeness of the boats at C, by the time they all got to Y they were very spread out. Obviously some of them had more rain hitting them than others!

1. Catriona, 2. Circe, 3. Luna, 4. Zephyrus, 5. Dione, 6. Athene, 7. Ceres, 8. Hermes

Report from Julian Forrester, Luna

Weather: Fine, gentle breeze from (mostly) SE

As in any decent beauty pageant, and in recognition of Halycone’s new skipper, Ed Morris, the finishing order is given in reverse order. Thus:

Halcyone, Thia, Hermes, Luna, Catriona, Circe, Dione.

 The RO, on board Circe, issued a number of courses, hampered by wind shifts in the half hour before the start.  He settled on H5, a course avoiding the Clynder shore (we may never learn why) and which took us from Z to A, a long run along the Shandon side and up to F and back through Z and repeat except for F read G.

The fleet divided quite early on into the usual suspects in front and the other usual suspects behind. Your correspondent, part of the latter, was unaware of any shifts in the order of the former through the race, only of a fickle wind which blew and did not blow, and a falling tide.

It appeared from the back that better progress was to be made the further offshore.  At least such allowed Luna to claw back a place at Hermes’ expense and thus finish mid-fleet. Everyone else finished, it appears, pretty much as they began. Any corrections to this rather lazy assumption most welcome.

Also most welcome during the race was the sight of our erstwhile Convenor on Athene’s shakedown cruise during which it seemed that nothing was going wrong, not even with a shackle.

(Editor: The results in a less beautiful, more traditional form: 

1 Dione, 2 Circe, 3 Catriona, 4 Luna, 5 Hermes, 6 Thia, 7 Halcyone.)

The “Alternative” Race Report – a newbie’s perspective! Guest report from Keith Mitchell on Catriona

Race report from Barbara McManus on Zephyrus

Variable winds in variable directions, did not dissuade 5 Garelochs from sailing on this Sunday afternoon, hopeful of an exciting race. Race officer, Arke set the L3 course. Circe was first across the start line sporting a new mainsail, crisp and white, followed by Catriona,  Zephyrus, Arke and Hermes. It wasn’t long before spinnakers were out as Circe, Catriona and Arke pushed on through towards the first rounding mark D. However as they crossed the loch the wind started to die and before too long Zephyrus had caught up with leaders. Catriona had a close encounter with Circe which casued her to drop back a couple of places. This resulted in Circe getting round the D mark first, followed by Zephyrus, Arke, Catriona and Hermes. It was back across the loch to the G mark, it was questionable as to whether spinnakers were helping as Zephyrus (without spinnaker) continued to keep up with Circe and Arke. As the boats were approaching the G mark Catriona seemed to squeeze through between Arke and Zephyrus to take the lead.

A push on through to Y with Catriona getting there first, at this point it was unclear whether the wind was tempting us to have another round, the race officer sensibly finished the race on the first round, enough frustration for one afternoon.

1 Catriona, 2 Zephyrus, 3 Arke, 4 Circe, 5 Hermes

… due to an exceptionally low tide preventing safe pier access. It was 0.4m below chart datum right at about 6pm last night (exactly when we needed to get to the boats). With a glass half full take, it’s worth noting that it was an almost windless evening so we didn’t miss too much!

Report from the Secretary.

The first race of the year.  Seven of us turned out with enthusiasm and were rewarded with moderate wind, steady by the standards of the Gareloch.

Steve Tidee had met John Blackie at a lecture and found himself crewing on Catriona.

Race Officers Hugh Normand and Robin Young sent us down, then up the Shandon shore.  Two rounds.  Arke (the boat formerly known as Teal), Dione and Catriona approached the starting line in a leading group, in that order.  The shore end was favoured.  Arke was a little early, Dione à point, Catriona distracted by tangled lines and negligently late.  Dione got away well and was not to be caught.  At the windward mark, A, it was Dione from Catriona with Arke needing to work with her spinnaker on the downwind leg so as to get clear of Circe and become secure in third.

On the moorings afterwards, there was talk from Ceres of gear failure.  it is unclear what that was, but she claimed it delayed her.  Hermes found herself off the pace, caught out by changes in direction of wind.

There is a rumour Dione has new sails.

1 Dione, 2 Catriona, 3 Arke, 4 Circe, 5 Thia, 6 Ceres, Hermes DNF