Dinghy Racing: Sept 1st

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

Autumn Weekend Series Sunday 4th October 2015: SE Linestart Wind SE 4-6

Lazerette Lashing

Nick Glossop – ably assisted by a sleepy-eyed Ben Johns, rose to the challenge for his first Helford Race Officer duty, competently setting a delightful beat South East from Trebah out to Gew. With its back to the wind, trees and cliff’s protect the dinghy park, deceiving the unwary to what lies around the corner. Mid morning, the Met Office’s promise duly delivered 10-25kts of bliss. Bliss, that is, for Lazerettes Matt Broad and Beks Hosking comprehensively thrashing the seniors in both real and handicap time with a 1-2.

There is no secret to sailing the Laser into the wind in a good breeze; it has to be sailed flat and upright and that’s why there are four sizes of sail catering for all sizes of helm.     Shadowing the leading Wayfarer, Matt & Beks relentlessly chased each other the entire race with Matt delivering the coup de grace in the final seconds at Bosahan

By contrast, in the over powered slow fleet, Brooks & Andrew Hosking fighting in the Heavyweight section (90+kg) could not stay on their feet under the sustained assault from Bantamweight Dave Philpott in the Solo class. Dave’s experience over many years at club and national level saw him able to coax and tempt his large sail to a mostly calm yet always dry canter.

Attempting to hide from the wind on the first beat to Gew in the Laser Two, Andrew Hosking battered the swell along the south shore; multitasked his way back into contention with the spinnaker on the reach back to Trebah. Second time round, Andrew was less lucky on the gybe under Toll, turning the Two turtle. Paul Greensmith in safety, handsomely & divinely crewed by son Sam & fiancé Amandine, attended the supine racer who seemed to take rather, and perhaps wistfully, longer than usual to return to the fray.

A few minutes later on an uncontrolled reach to Central, Brooks’ Laser tossed him in, a just reward for any gloating – concealed or otherwise over his rival’s demise.

Results: 1st M Broad, 2nd R Hosking, 3rd R Kestin & McD

Captain Dinghies: Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day

Committee: N Glossop, B Johns

Safety: P Greensmith, S Greensmith & Amandine

Photography: © D Flunder

Following: C Broa

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shifty northerly 3 – 4 RYA Average Lap Series – 2 triangular races

Berryman and Bolitho: on the art of brinkmanship

In the finest tradition of “never first – always second”, Ollie Berryman ably supported by Ed Bolitho, recover from the “Rear Brake” manoeuvre gifting the trawler of Roger McDonald and Beccy Kestin with a race winning 0.4sec.

The 4th outing of the spring HRSC dinghy series saw tight racing in capricious winds. Doldrums off Durgan and the occasional sailor’s gale by Bosahan tested the most experienced. A figure of eight rounding at Bosahan during a 6ish gust left Adam Mason to contemplate a future in holy orders. Solus cum Deo solo. First race excitement was provided by the duelling RS400s of Roger McDonald & crew Beccy Kestin and Ollie Berryman & crew Ed Bolitho. Mid stream runs turned to reaches favouring Ollie who took full advantage to blast home with all sails flying. Approaching from the opposite reach the same winds turned the McD RS into a trawler at spinnaker downhaul. Ed Bolitho’s six pack maintained boat trim nudging Ollie’s RS ahead – only to be piped overall by an average lap speed of 0.4sec in McD’s favour.

It was Phil Philpot’s tacking on each wind shift on the beat to Durgan that held his Solo in contention for the finish of the 2nd race. Hitherto, Andy Biggs had masterfully wrestled his Laser around the course threatening even Ollie’s RS. Phil took full advantage of Andy’s distraction (forthcoming nuptials?) and the gift of a breeze to tightly round the now infamous Bosahan mark and get above Andy on the beat to the committee boat. Sailing a tight proper course on the final tack firmly held Andy in the rear and Phil to 2nd place.

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

Roger McDonald
Beccy Kestin
RS400
958
948
1
589.3
1
577

Ollie Berryman
Ed Bolitho
RS400
588
948
2
589.7
3
738

Phil Philpott

Solo
4785
1150
3
819
2
861

Andy Biggs

Laser
138471
1085
4
788
5
881

Adam Mason

Solo
4099
1150
5
866
4
900

Stephen Brooks

Radial
179651
1110
6
847
6
931

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

Marshalls: Steve Kestin & Margaret Statham Safety Cover & Love Boat: Sammy Hubbard & Jack assisted by K&J Hubbard

Photography: Robert Floyd 157 photos – Outstanding! Victuals wet & dry – Ben Williamson for staying open

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.

Grab a gust – get on a reach

Aim for the windward mark

Take the power off and leave time to………..

Take in all the washing and close haul

That would be ALL the washing

Closing on the trawler

and work off that lunch

The overtaking red RS of Berryman & Bolitho keeps clear

Gotcha! Leaving Ed Bolitho time to inspect the trawler’s mackerel haul

Outstanding Sportsmanship – Rear Brake applied at the committee boat

How many have we caught now Beccy?

Berryman & Bolitho take a premature – if not a well earned rest by the committee boat leaving McD and Beccy to take honours.

A gutsy performance from Andy Biggs […]