Seasalter TT - Day 1
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 10:33 pm
An entry of 25 boats was curtailed before launch when John Holmes (1978, SSC) had his mainsail rip during hoisting. A great attendance of 18 travellers reversed last year's showings with only 6 SSC boats afloat compared with 17 last year (7 helms being on race duty and 1 watching golf !).
Visitors came from - 7 Thorpe Bay, 3 Queen Mary, 2 Grafham, 2 Stewartby and 1 each from Shanklin, Oxford, Hollowell and Whitstable
Winds started off at F5-6 SSW (with gusts in high 30s) with light rain and heavy mist; but relatively flat water. An offshore committee boat start saw all clean away - after one pre start capsize. With very blustery conditions the fleet soon spread out but with some close two and three boats tussles. The first race places were 1st Kevin Dutch (1938,SSC), 2nd Erling Holmberg (2007,Shanklin) and 3rd Howard Hawkes (1643,Thorpe Bay).
The 2nd race start was rather wet with some persistent rain but the gusts and then the wind eased during the race ending with 15-18mph. Kevin Dutch again took first place but had to fight hard to regain the position on the last lap from Martin Ellis (1981, Thorpe Bay) who took advantage of Kevin's capsize and the easing winds to take the lead on the second lap - finishing in 2nd place 29 seconds behind Kevin. Erling Holmberg was beaten to 3rd place, within metres of the finish line, by Jon Finch (1890,Stewartby).
George Stephen (1594, Queen mary) was the only Sport mode sailor - rumour has it he said that he needed to be able to hook into the trapeze to stay on the boat so decided to Sport it.
At the end of the first day's racing - Dutch 1st (2 points), Holmberg 2nd (6 points), Ellis 3rd (8 points), J.Finch 4th (8 Points).
Apart from me allowing the 2nd mark to be set too far windward to allow a good reach inshore the offshore one was really fast and there was some fast sailing and a good few capsizes. Unfortunately james Hirst (565, Grafham) broke a rudder mechanism early in the first race and then, having borrowed an SSC rudder, got back into the fray - only to have his forestay come undone - but he was back into the second race. Kevin Dutch fell onto a rudder when capsizing (which he did in both races) and although the top anvil and rollers locked it it was down and he could keep going.
Dave Turnbull (1259, SSC) had a brand new tiller bar have its UJ pull out at the beginning of the first race and did both races holding onto the con bar.
Simon Hare (1970, Oxford) was sailing in his first TT, having only recently purchased his Srpint 15, and managed the heavy conditions well putting in 15th/19th.
Further spills and thrills to be reported but they can wait for the final report.
My thanks to all the SSC members who helped make my job easier and especially to all those who travelled to join in the event despite the weather forecasts. It appears that though all were wet and tired the sailing was enjoyed and was followed by a hot and cold buffet dinner prepared by Lesley Stafford and her band of SSC helpers.
What will Sunday bring ?
Steve Willis
Chief RO
Visitors came from - 7 Thorpe Bay, 3 Queen Mary, 2 Grafham, 2 Stewartby and 1 each from Shanklin, Oxford, Hollowell and Whitstable
Winds started off at F5-6 SSW (with gusts in high 30s) with light rain and heavy mist; but relatively flat water. An offshore committee boat start saw all clean away - after one pre start capsize. With very blustery conditions the fleet soon spread out but with some close two and three boats tussles. The first race places were 1st Kevin Dutch (1938,SSC), 2nd Erling Holmberg (2007,Shanklin) and 3rd Howard Hawkes (1643,Thorpe Bay).
The 2nd race start was rather wet with some persistent rain but the gusts and then the wind eased during the race ending with 15-18mph. Kevin Dutch again took first place but had to fight hard to regain the position on the last lap from Martin Ellis (1981, Thorpe Bay) who took advantage of Kevin's capsize and the easing winds to take the lead on the second lap - finishing in 2nd place 29 seconds behind Kevin. Erling Holmberg was beaten to 3rd place, within metres of the finish line, by Jon Finch (1890,Stewartby).
George Stephen (1594, Queen mary) was the only Sport mode sailor - rumour has it he said that he needed to be able to hook into the trapeze to stay on the boat so decided to Sport it.
At the end of the first day's racing - Dutch 1st (2 points), Holmberg 2nd (6 points), Ellis 3rd (8 points), J.Finch 4th (8 Points).
Apart from me allowing the 2nd mark to be set too far windward to allow a good reach inshore the offshore one was really fast and there was some fast sailing and a good few capsizes. Unfortunately james Hirst (565, Grafham) broke a rudder mechanism early in the first race and then, having borrowed an SSC rudder, got back into the fray - only to have his forestay come undone - but he was back into the second race. Kevin Dutch fell onto a rudder when capsizing (which he did in both races) and although the top anvil and rollers locked it it was down and he could keep going.
Dave Turnbull (1259, SSC) had a brand new tiller bar have its UJ pull out at the beginning of the first race and did both races holding onto the con bar.
Simon Hare (1970, Oxford) was sailing in his first TT, having only recently purchased his Srpint 15, and managed the heavy conditions well putting in 15th/19th.
Further spills and thrills to be reported but they can wait for the final report.
My thanks to all the SSC members who helped make my job easier and especially to all those who travelled to join in the event despite the weather forecasts. It appears that though all were wet and tired the sailing was enjoyed and was followed by a hot and cold buffet dinner prepared by Lesley Stafford and her band of SSC helpers.
What will Sunday bring ?
Steve Willis
Chief RO