Kestrel Open 2008 - Royal Harwich Yacht Club

Report & Results
4th/5th October

Royal Harwich Kestrel open meeting was held over the weekend of 4th & 5th October.

The Saturday was dry with forecast of building wind.

Race 1 – The fleet started racing with a force 3 to 4 wind and a figure of eight course set across the river. The first lap saw 1574 (Dave Hearsum & Gareth Fay) leading from 1548 (Paul & James Jarvey) with 1537 (John & Olive Glasspool) 3rd. On the next lap 1548 took the lead on the short beat and 1574 decided to test the temperature of the water on the reach, this allowing 1537 through. The third and final lap saw 1548 come 1st, 1537 2nd and 1574 3rd, having been able to recover quickly and keep the rest of the chasing fleet behind.

Race 2 – Sailed back to back saw slightly more breeze and another figure of eight course using different marks. At the first mark 1511 (Steve & Lin Worf) lead the fleet but were gradually overtaken by 1574, 1537 and 1548. With 1548 taking up the lead from 1537 they were closely pursued by 1574 and 1511. The rest of the fleet were also changing places regularly. At the finish 1548 came 1st with 1574 taking 2nd from 1537 at the gybe mark.

Race 3 – After a lunch break the wind was still building, as the first beat and reaches were sailed the wind increased even more. The second beat of the first lap was towards a channel mark by the marina, causing the wind to shift between 30° and 60° and become very gusty. After some very near capsizes 1537 and 1574 decided to head for the shore while 1575 (Tony Wilman & Peter Haffenden) capsized in one of the gusts on the beat. With 1548 leading and 1511 repelling charges from 1572 (Brian Deacon & Karen Hall) and 1563 (Henry & Christopher Richards). At the finish 1548 was first by a large margin from 1511 2nd, 1572 3rd from 1563 who gave a valiant charge with their spinnaker up.

On Sunday morning we awoke to fine rain and a force 2 wind. The forecast was for the wind to increase through the morning.

Race 4 – with the wind coming from a South West direction and 1537 having been taken over by two local laser sailors the first beat saw 1537 and 1548 battling for the lead. 1574 was in close proximity. On the reach to the second mark all three were overtaken by 1511, who managed to sail around a light patch of wind in the middle of the river, only to fall into their own light patch. 1548 were again to take 1st place with 1537 2nd and 1574 3rd.

Race 5 – Sailed back to back started with the wind dying away leaving the entire fleet drifting until it filled in from the opposite direction, the North East. It came in with a blast at force 4 leave the whole fleet panicking to get spinnakers down as they planed on a dead run towards the first mark. The second mark was an exciting reach as the fleet came to terms with the new conditions. The wind stayed up for the rest of the race to see 1537 1st, having reached the first mark in the lead, 1548 2nd and 1574 3rd.

Steve Worf.