Squib Racing 11th June

SW 14-20 knots

LW 17.30

Course 60

Black Mark BM

Legend LD

Monkey Business MB

Sandy Cheeks SC

With a stiff breeze, an ebbing tide, a potential spinnaker start and the first mark 20, the start was tight. LD got off to a good start towards St Mary’s Island with SC below her and behind while MB and BM down towards the club. Quickly spinnakers started to pay and LD (no spinnaker) let SC slip past. Approaching 30A the wind was kind for SC and she moved into a few boat lengths lead followed by LD, MB & BM. Spinnakers down and heading on a fetch for Hoo Ness. Once in Gillingham Reach, SC popped up the kite again with lots of hiking on the tight spinnaker fetch to Folly Point. Decisions to be made how far to go out and benefit from the tide but travel further.

Thankfully the fleet followed with kites up. At Folly Point it was a square off to a dead run and head for Darnet Fort. The order unchanged. SC decided to gybe to benefit from the tide. To the delight of LD, SC did a proper spinnaker wrap round the forestay. While seeing to the wrap LD caught SD up and called Starboard on SC requiring her to gybe and then force the Sonata fleet to all gybe as well. Eventually SC sorted her kite and went chasing after LD. By 20 SC managed to get water on LD as we beat up to MYA1 in the shallows against the tide. MB was making a charge and LD was fighting to hold them off as SC opened a gap. Across to 24 and 25, At 25 kites were up again heading down to 20. With more concentration in SC this time (apologies I lost track of the changing places behind) we benefited from a lovely breeze which was up towards 20 knots. Turning back at 20 to MYA1 MB and LD were battling it out with BM very close behind. We then had an exhilarating beat to MYA1 with the toe straps being tested as full on hiking was the order of the day, pulling SC a few boats length ahead of the rest with MB and BM showing some new found speed. At MYA1 the fleet split to the north and south sides of the river. SC punched the tide and tried to cover them both paying for it. Soon BM were very close and MB & LD also challenging on the other side. SC had to get to the shallows off Folly Point. Phew made it and MB had slipped back (later found it was gear failure- jib sheet cleat). It was then a procession back to the club

1st Sandy Cheeks

2nd Legend

3rd Black Mark

4th Monkey Business (no arms left)