JACOBI SHINES IN LIGHT CONDITIONS

The HRSC Hine Downing Spring Series, normally a fresh and blustery start to the seasons yacht racing was sailed over four races in summer like conditions.

Yachts making the early turnout were blessed by some truly glorious conditions, if not a little light in wind strength. Race 1 got off to a bang when was subject to a Orijin (Andy Dennis) and Jacobi (Tony Statham) had a pre-start collision resulting in Orijin taking two penalty turns from which she never was able to recover, leaving victory to Jacobi.

Race two was more like the conditions expected for April, as the yachts set off out the river and into Falmouth Bay in a frisky Easterly wind. Neck and neck racing up the first beat just saw Jacobi squeeze inside Orijin at the first mark out in the bay. The boats were still neck and neck all the way round until the spinnakers were hoisted for a run from Nare back into the river to Shag mark off Mawnan Sheer. Jacobi held her nerve and went for a late spinnaker allowing her to round the mark just ahead of Orijin and cover up to the final Committee Mark in the middle of the river.

Race three was sailed in very light conditions more akin to a summer breeze. Amanzimtoti (Roger McDonald) and Valkyrie (Chris Symes) joined the IRC yachts to race PY and used the tide well on the first run up river to Voose mark, with local knowledge clearly playing a part. Orijin made an excellent start from the north end of the line and was well ahead of Jacobi at Voose. Valkyrie opted for the northern shore to keep out of the tide and ran out of wind. After a period of flat calm the wind filled from the south side of the river, firstly benefitting Jacobi, despite being out in the tide. Orijin chased hard, pointing very high, but Jacobi was able to once again cover and hold on to Victory at the finish.

Race 4 saw a strong fleet set out from Gew mark off the South shore of the Helford, again conditions delivered light South Easerly winds for the final race of the Hine Downing Spring series. Team Gul sailed over from Falmouth in Black Dog the new J97 to join the race on the summers like evening. Whilst the sun shone, the wind refused to blow. All yachts started well but were left becalmed just 15 minutes later as the breeze died to nothing. Engines were promptly started as the yachts returned up river to the haven of the Helford River Sailing Clubhouse.

With no results for race 4 and Jacobi posting three previous wins, the Hine Downing Spring Trophy went to Tony Statham in Jacobi.

With a host of yachts now on the Helford River after the Easter weekend launches, competitors at Helford River Sailing Club look forward to the Hine Downing Early Summer Series starting on May 4th consisting of six races with four to count.

Photos by Peter Wood – 27^th April