Kestrel Open 2008 - Marconi Sailing Club

Report & Results
24th/25th August

Marconi Sailing Club open was held as usual on the August Bank Holiday weekend with a wind of Force 4, gusting 5 for the first race.

Race 1 – started with a fetch to the first mark, which was a gybe mark. This saw the lead boats 1545 (John Weedon and Callum Wilson) and 408 (Chris and Karen Grice) being caught out by the gusts and the inevitable capsize. This gave 1574 (Dave and Ian Hearsum) the lead, with places changing right through the fleet. After three laps of this triangular course, 1574 came first, 668 (Dusty Miller and Liam Pike) recovered from a poor start to take second and 1511 (Steve and Lin Worf) took third.

Race 2 – saw an extra mark being added to give a better beat. With 668 getting a better start they led from the start and built up a useful lead on the spinnaker leg, only to see it swallowed up as a problem with the retaining clip on the rudder meant Dusty was seen with the whole rudder and tiller in his hand, witnessed by the rest of the fleet. Liam had to replace the rudder on the transom, when it came adrift again they were forced to retire. The rest of the fleet continued to change places right the way through the fleet. 1574 just beat 408 (now crewed by Sally Grey as it was Karen's turn for the children sitting), 1573 (Rod and Jenny Brown-Lee) taking third after a battle with 1511 and 1563 (Henry and Chris Richards). 1511 had to retire after capsizing, turtling and coming up with a bent mast. Lin was to be seen treading water and observing while this was going on, Steve did pick her up if only to help empty the boat and get it back to shore.

The BBQ in the evening was enjoyed by all with the backdrop of one of the Blackwater's amazing sunsets.

Race 3 – saw a little more breeze and a beat against tide. The first leg was a short beat with 408 leading off down wind followed by the rest of the fleet and back through the start line which proved to be fun keeping out of the way of the starting catamarans. Once the bottom mark had been reached a good beat against the tide towards Osea Island ensued with the front four boats changing places regularly. After three laps of this course the race was won by 408, 1575 second, 1511 third and 1563 came fourth. 668 had to retire again having not passed through the line on one of the laps.

Race 4 – with the tide turning, the same course as the morning was sailed. The wind against tide gave choppier conditions causing some more capsizes and near capsizes at the gybe mark. 1563 capsized on the second lap and 1573 capsized on the gybe mark allowing 1511 to pass and gain fourth place. 668 won with 408 second and 1575 third. 1573 recovered to take fifth place and sixth place went to 1563.

Steve & Lin Worf.