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Dinghy Racing: May 3rd
E-ESE 2-3 Helford RYA PY Dynamic Line start East Triangular (U)CD, UCD, UCD
Bonnie Triumph for Solo Artist
A Solo helm rarely reveals the elation brought on by the promise of a leaden sky, a gentle breeze and a line start handicap race. The rest of the PY fleet has about it an air of resignation – and not even the prospect of Sophie Greensmith wake boarding behind the safety boat will lift their spirits. Ollie Berryman might, we fancy, toy with the idea of taking his cabinet making skills in the form of a chainsaw to the Solo’s handicap. Perhaps Ed Bolitho could be tempted to add a few concrete blocks to the Solo’s ballast.
Working his way to the start line close to the North shore, Adam Mason is reminded that the slightest hint of hubris invites Nemesis. A thump to Pants looked promisingly painful were it not for the shear pin on the tripping centre board. Chastened – Adam at the favoured Pin end kick-starts his campaign as leeward boat to B&B persuading the RS400 to reconsider its course. Returning the favour Ollie tacks ahead of Adam – encouraging the Solo to enter the larger swell of Bosahan. From here on, the classes buddy up for close racing.
Following last week’s dunking Nick Maidwell’s laser is now firmly in control and scampers after the Solos praying for a stiffer breeze to threaten. In the faultless tussle between RS400’s it’s not Ed’s six pack that will help. In gentle breezes – it’s his skill at capturing each gift of a favourable puff with spinnaker.
Phil Philpott is always in contention, but ventures a little too close to the slap of the south shore swell on the way to Central. Bantam weight Adam runs the Solo flat and level from Durgan to Trebah whereas Phil tilts hull 15 degrees to port – reducing wetted area & thereby gaining considerable ground – but not quite enough. A Matchless performance by the Solos but with Trophy’s to Adam & Sarah.
Helm
Crew
Class
Name-No.
PY
Race
Elapsed
Correct
Adam Mason
Solo
4099
1150
1
42.32
3698
Phil Philpott
Solo
4785
1150
2
43.27
3772
Ollie Berryman
Ed Bolitho
RS400
588
948
3
36.15
3824
Roger McDonald
Beccy Kestin
RS400
958
948
4
37.14
3928
Nick Maidwell
Laser
170605
1085
5
45.16
4172
Captain Dinghies Beccy Kestin thanks all those supporting the fleet on the day.
Marshalls: Sarah Mason & Stephen Brooks
Safety: Chaperone Paul Greensmith & Sophie
Photography: Stephen Brooks
A great credit to all those behind the action for selflessly putting themselves forward for duty.
Dinghy Regatta & Laser Open Report 2017
A Huge thank you to all who made this happen!
From the youngest racer 11yr 7mo to the eldest in his 81st year
From Committee to Stewards and Catering who gave our visitors the very best of welcomes
Our Safety & Mark moving crews – & especially Tony Marsland recovering in Hospital
The Committee Boat & vast quantities of Hot Dogs kindly provided and cooked by John Bolitho and of course the gentle tutelage and guidance given to the Race Committee under Tom Smith & Steve Kestin
Dinghy Racing: May 10th
Spring Weekend Series Sunday 9.45am 10th May 2015 : Pursuit S Wind S3-5
It’s a Breeze
Encouraged by a wind forecast set to be strengthening later, Helford’s PY dinghy fleet sleepily set of a little earlier than is usual for a Sunday morning. Chris Broad armed with camera took the family’s RIB out for a rescue duty but was not placed to record the pre race entertainment provided by Andy Biggs’ dunking and Stephen Brooks’ close inspection of Avocets mooring buoy. In complete contrast youth sailors Beks Hosking and Matt Broad set out very impressively in gusty conditions with Beccy Kestin in the 4.7 Laser fleet.
Revelling a breeze, Beccy could not quite find enough of it to hold of Phil Philpott’s charge on the Blaze or the seemingly nonchalant approach of McD’s full rigged laser. Phil Samuel’s reinvigorated sailing with the Solo almost got him to the 4.7, and had there been pedals attached would have made it.
Everyone enjoyed the planeing reaches between Toll and Durgan. Sailing high Brooks was favoured by the gusts and would catch up with Biggsey on the reach but a dipette at Durgan and slothfulness on the beat allowed his quarry to escape. Beks and Matt slogged it out all the race and were only devoured on the penultimate leg with Beks achieving family honours
Results 1st R McDonald 2nd P Philpott 3rd R Kestin Youth 1st R Hosking, 2nd Matt Broad
Captain Dinghies Andy Biggs thanks all those in support of the fleet on the day Safety Boat & Photography: Chris Broad
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
