Back to Back for some

Published 13:00 on 5 Jul 2025 by Stephen Dadd

Thursday 3rd July witnessed race 5 & 6 in the keelboat programme, race 5 for the Squib’s and race 6 for the dinghy fleet.
With temperature’s on land over 20 degrees, out on the water was the place to be.
The keelboat programme called for two races back to back and so a busy night for the race team ensued.
With the wind flicking around either side of the Nothe, depending on where Viking was moored you either had a direction from 245’ or 255’.
The race officer decided to take the right hand side of the Nothe and set the courses on an axis of 254’
Before Viking left the dock, Kathy Claydon (the race officer) was advised that there was only one Squib going out, so that boat would race in the class 4’s.
With the laid marks X and J conveniently set on a bearing of 254’ T was the obvious gybe mark.
A smaller triangle inside this course was laid with the temporary marks for the dinghy’s.
The single Squib appeared with three mates, so Kathy hastily gave them the dinghy course (90’ gybe) and the pin was laid for an exactly square line.
The class 3 keelboats were given an Olympic course, class 4’s a triangle and the 5’s a sausage, plan being that they would finish around the same time.
With the wind stable and averaging 8/10 knots, the sky blue and the warm sun beating down, it was a perfect evening to be out on the water.
The Squibs were dispatched on time, five minutes later the class 3 were on their way and with the Squibs completing their first lap they they found themselves embroiled in the class 4 start picking their way through the noisy keelboat fleet.
What fun!
For all the shouting and antics on the line all boats got away cleanly although one or two Squibbers were not impressed having the keelboats taking their wind.
The dinghy fleet, which is growing weekly and refreshingly with YOB’s got away cleanly.
It was just now a matter of taking numbers and roundings of the Squibs and dinghies, whilst keeping an eye on the keelboat fleet awaiting their arrival.
With the plan working and most of the keelboats finishing withing seven minutes of each other race 2 got underway by 19:40.
With wind only having gone right a few degree’s and holding at 8 knots the same course was served up.
Once again, the Squibs and dinghies had to negotiate their way through the turmoil of the class four start line, but good seamanship prevailed and all three fleets set off on their second race of the evening.
With the wind starting to drop off and a further shift to the right, the Squibs and dinghies were finished, leaving the race team to enjoy the sight of most of the keelboat fleets under spinnakers making their way, down to J.
With the final boat crossing the line at 20:21 it was all back home to the club for a deserved drink and wholesome food.
Special mention should be made for the race team lead by Kathy, an intensive evening out on the water of which the majority enjoyed.

Last updated 13:25 on 5 July 2025