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Dinghy Racing: April 23rd
Spring Series Thursday 23rd April 2015 : Triangular Average Lap x 2 UCD Wind ESE3
First Race
It’s always best to get the first race done discretely, particularly if the boat or brain were left in a metaphorical compost heap for the winter. In what could only be described as blatant trolley neglect McD spent most of Thursday evening swapping boats, sails, trolleys, & banter – in quite possibly a novel attempt to distract the opposition. Andy & Hamish Biggs in Committee boat – blissfully unaware of the protracted comings & goings at the dinghy park – had plenty of time to lay a delightful triangular course, and for a quick nap before the fleet’s tardy arrival.
For most of the week an easterly wind had piled surf and sunshine into the Helford, but abated as per forecast to a gentle ESE breeze & swell. Indistinct in the haze, the first mark at Central proved elusive as racers, dressed for Armageddon, sweated, and toiled on the beat to a fuzzy memory of where the mark should be. McD’s memory and strategy proved correct as he first rounded central for the reach to Durgan. Aided by a gentle swell on the shifty run to Trebah, Brooks was clearly overwhelmed by the idea of getting closer to the front of the fleet and went off in the wrong direction at the leeward mark. Phil Samuel’s immaculate boat preparation and bicycling throughout winter led to his seemingly effortless performance in a gleaming Solo as he elegantly cruised to a third, 5 close seconds behind the Lasers.
With a combined age in the region of 180 the top 3 helms on the day prove that competitive dinghy racing is suitable to all. Newcomers, are always welcome at HRSC so if simply dipping your toes in or ready to challenge our teenage hotshots contact Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs via 01326 231006
Results 1st R McDonald 2nd S Brooks, 3rd P Samuel
Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day
Safety Boat: Andy & Hamish Biggs
Dinghy Racing: April 26th
Spring Weekend Series Sunday 26th April 2015 :
Triangular Average Lap x 2 BCX Wind N3-4
A Pin Tale
A faultless Met Office forecast for Thursday’s racing gave way to one that lost 15 & 35mph gusts over 36hrs for Sunday. Culdrose recorded a sun blessed 11-14MPH during the race – perfect for a spring’s first outing. Thus a cosy little fleet set of from Bosahan without the un-persuaded – usually attired in wetsuit shorties, or indeed shorts of the red kind. The Met Office is still working with their old 2009 £33 million computer – before a new 140 tonne £97 million replacement begins service in September 2015, reaching full capacity by 2017. In the Interim, keep wetting the forefinger.
Each race was decided almost from the start, with Roger McDonald taking a 30 yard advantage the Pin end offered in shifty conditions of the lee shore. It took the first race to loosen the rust from Andy Biggs navigational gyros – giving away, as he did, near 50 seconds per lap. Despite voluntarily acknowledging the error of his starting ways, Biggsey was again lured to the Committee boat for the start of the second race. Giving himself a stiff and unrepeatable talking to, and a kick to the gyros, Andy’s resolve returned and caught McD half way to Central.
Whispering in his old & faithful Laser’s ear with a promise both: to polish her bottom, and buy a shiny new mast before the next race; McD encouraged his charge to victory by 7 small seconds.
Results 1st R McDonald 2nd A Biggs
Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day
Safety Boat: Stephen Brooks

Dinghy Racing: May 17th
Spring Weekend Series Sunday 4pm 17th May 2015 : Pursuit S Wind SW3-5
Beccy’s Breeze
There’s nothing that Beccy Kestin likes more than a good breeze in a 4.7 Laser on the Helford and to prove the point sat at the head of the Helford PY fleet the entire race. Sitting is perhaps not an accurate description of what Beccy does on her sleek craft as she uses all are her skill and agility to keep it upright and pointing in the right direction. Setting of with Beccy were the two other 4.7’s of Beks Hosking, and on his first race of the season, Sam Philpott. Sam made the correct rounding of the Leeward mark at Toll without his mainsheet wrapped around the Laser’s stern. Unfortunately the race camera’s battery had already expired and thus DO Andrew Hosking was unable to capture the tender moment. Steam rose as Beks pulled her sail out of the water and spent the rest of the race chasing down Sam’s superbly prepared hull.
Phil Samuel having mastered a good breeze the previous weekend was well prepared for the gusts in his Solo but despite a sail near double that of the 4.7 at 90 sq ft was unable to quite catch Beccy on her breeze-around. Always putting every ounce of effort into his racing, Andy Biggs can and did catch Kestin at the final can; had he stayed on the same tack, his full rigged laser might have worn Gold. Phil Philpott’s Blaze wasn’t wearing its Halo – possibly needed if Phil could have wrestled the larger 124sq ft rig round the circuit but had nearly made it to the Solo.
Then came a threesome of double handers. Anton in the Comet Trio and Ben Johns in a Feva, risking it without crew, but definitely not risking their spinnakers. Both valiantly made it all the way round to the back of the fleet – but stayed dry. Brooks wisely had a crew, the very trusting novice Vinod Ghantiwala, on his first ever sail & race and was promptly tipped in on the first gybe at Toll. Much to his credit Vinod calmly did whatever he was told and thanked his helm for the experience of racing – keenly observed from the rear of the fleet.
Results 1st R Kestin 2nd A Biggs 3rd Phil Samuel
Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day
Safety Boat & Photography: A Hosking, N Glossop
Adult Dinghy Sailing
The Helford River Sailing Club is starting Adult Dinghy Sailing every Saturday during the summer season beginning at 2.00 pm on 8th July. The start time will alternate between 2.00pm and 10.00am depending on the tide. Our aim is to attract new members to the club by offering an opportunity to Try Sailing a Wayfarer or our new Drascombe Lugger with an experienced club sailor.
All existing club members with or without dinghy experience will be most welcome to join us. Most importantly we need to build up a list of experienced sailors and safety boat crews who are able to help.
This will be promoted in the West Briton as an opportunity to “Try Sailing” which, as you know, has taken place for many years and with great success on Tuesday nights.
If you would like to take part or want to help, please email Angie Watson at [email protected]
Thank you