Dinghy Racing: May 2nd

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

[Download PDF Version]

Solos deliver a one two

Phil Philpot and Adam Mason delivered their emphatic 1-2 on a gusty Easter Saturday’s Henry Cowls sponsored race. Phil normally a successful RS400 helm – perhaps in premonition – borrowed his father’s Solo. A very wise choice as it turned out with both RS400s routed. The Red hulled RS perfectly matched the facial colour of its crew Ollie Berryman & Ed Bolitho as they broke surface from the only capsize of the day. Despite ganging up on the Solos the Lasers of Andy Biggs and Stephen Brooks were unable to make headway. Solo near, yet Solo far.

Helm
Crew
Class
Name-No.
PY
Race 1
Lap Sec
Race 2
LapSec

Phil Philpott

Solo
4785
1150
1
470
1
488

Adam Mason

Solo
4099
1150
2
476
2
495

Andy Biggs

Laser
138471
1085
3
464
3
472

Roger McDonald
Beccy Kestin
RS400
958
948
4
422
5
433

Stephen Brooks

Radial
179651
1110
5
542
4
505

Ollie Berryman
Ed Bolitho
RS400
588
948
SD

6
435C

Captain Dinghies Beccy Kestin thanks all those supporting the fleet on the day

Marshalls: Steve Kestin & Dave Philpott Safety cover: Ken Hubbard &Christian Griffin Photography & Clearance Diver: Christian Griffin

Average lap race accounting whilst demanding of logistics and support is deemed fairest to PY dinghy competition. A great credit to all those behind the action for selflessly putting themselves forward for duty

The Easter parade begins Ollie Berryman & Ed Bolitho will be along dreckly with an RS400

Class rules do not allow the Solo, Laser or RS400 to deploy a trapeze -a very wise denial in gusty conditions.

Of like a Rocket –a Merlin Rocket – the RS400 being the Rockets natural successor. It’s not only Oysters that the Helford shares with Whitstable – Kent – Morrison designed racing dinghies.

Clew dipping – an obligatory manoeuvre by the last boat crossing the final gate. It acknowledges the marshals contribution to the day’s proceedings– now if you believe that…..

And they’re off – the McD RS400 as ever immaculately positioned at the start line

That wouldn’t be the Berryman: Bolitho RS a little lower in the water than would seem prudent would it – or was that later on the 3rd run?

Biggs watches appreciatively at another radial master class – a demonstration of the art of the death roll.

Solo near – yet Solo far

The fleet went 2 by 2 RS, Solos and Lasers

Honest guv we was only shielding the Solo from gusts –

Altering the rigging of the Morrison designed RS is something that probably shouldn’t be attempted whilst sailing – & especially in the middle of a race – except by the very few.

Adam Mason – the perfect line

Spring Evening Series Thursday 30th April 2015 : Linestart NE, Wind 2-3

A Fine Line – By Chris Hosken

A NE line start at Voose was agreed as fitting for the evening’s handicap race, & with no hooter or whistle DO Chris Hosken conducted the countdown by loud shouting. With the usual jostling for pole position, Phil Samuel in his Solo, closely followed by Roger McDonald in his Laser were first off as the rest of the fleet ventured over the line in a close huddle. Ginnie Sykes, taking a dislike to the argy-bargy chose to follow the rest in a neat and tidy way.  Ginnie’s first outing for a couple of years; good to see her back racing.

The fleet split for the first mark at Central; Samuel chased by McD opted for mid channel, while a majority took a tip from Phil Philpott, and sailed the southern shore.  Andy Biggs decided a happy medium was best sailed between the two groups. It was the Solo that reached Central first, followed by Philpott, McD, and Biggs, while Brooks and Sykes brought up the rear.

The Solo and Blaze kept close on the run to Bosahan, the Lasers following looking for any advantage. Again the Solo rounded first, followed closely by the Blaze; the lasers of Biggs, McD, Brooks, and Sykes nearby.

Philpott’s Blaze also on its first outing soon moved away from Samuel’s Solo heading for Toll on the North shore. This mark was misjudged by all, apart from Philpott, & without the extra tack he gained the space needed to get a good lead. Gunnel to gunnel, Samuel and Biggs were next around Toll, McD, and Brooks following. Sykes sailed with thought and clarity and rounded each mark in a very seaman like manner, regaining her confidence on the water.

His lead growing, Philpott blazed ahead to Trebah, rounding at half time. Behind, two schools of thought were evident in the rest of the fleet.   Samuel and Biggs decided centre of the river was the place to be, McD and Brooks were convinced the north side might gain them some time. With all apart from the Blaze closing in on each other, it was McD’s mature Laser that took the mark followed by Samuel’s highly polished Solo – Biggs and Brooks next.

In lighter airs, Sykes decided a graceful retirement was her goal, and sailed impeccably back to the club house.

Heading to the mouth of the river on the final downward leg, the Blaze with its new larger sail continued to stretch the lead.  McD with a never say die attitude had put some distance between himself and Samuel – but would it be enough to beat the Solo’s handicap?  Philpott crossed the finishing line back at Voose in 59m10s, in the same calm and understated manner he had competed all evening.   McD followed 4 minutes later with Samuel at 65.44, the lasers of Biggs and Brooks battling it out to the end with 67.25 and 67.53. At the final accounting […]