Sunday 7th May
Cruiser Race Report: Race 2
An enthusiastic Cruiser-Racer Fleet followed course 6 on another light air episode heading off to mark 16 via 25 to 23 then returning up river to finish at 29 via a couple of loops round MYC4 and MYA1 along the way. All on a rising tide.
Wind being westerly resulted in a downwind direction from the club line with competitors heading for shallow water from the off. The majority choose the south side of the river except Zephyros who contoured round the long way close to Wilsonian and Hoo just clearing the island with some close spinnaker work which paid off with a big gain on the fleet.
Mercury, closely at this stage followed by Zephyros, were first into Gillingham Reach with the rest of the fleet significantly behind, a result of probably less breeze on that south side, however, things started to change and by Folly the fleet was beginning to bunch up, slightly!
After 25 most headed for the shallows of Mussel bank, with the exception of Countdown who opted for the south side next hugging Bishop Marsh, the former turning out the better option. The fleet was well spread by the time of rounding 16 with Mercury well ahead. By this stage competitors would be doing some serious mental arithmetic working out positions particularly as YTC handicaps ranged between 764 for the quickest to 1113 for the smaller boats taking part.
Through the water, order for leading yachts of Mercury, Zephyros, The Works and Countdown remained for the return up river until Gillingham Reach when The Works pulled up a place for second position.
Final handicap positions under YTC were Mercury, Zephyros, The Works, Countdown, Tatterat and Freya – line honours also being with Mercury. The three finishers under IRC were Mercury, Countdown and The Works. Elapsed times ranged from 3:03:54 to 4:38:28. Well done Mercury for another win also to Tatterat for completing the course in a falling breeze.
There were 8 yachts racing this week across IRC, NHC and YTC. For those not fully up with discussion on changes to yacht rating systems the RYA has adopted YTC as possible replacement for NHC as a fixed handicap system accessible to all without needing to invest in an IRC Certificate. The Cruiser-Racer class at MYC is trialling YTC.
Our thanks again to Joe & Venessa Bolton for manning the starter box. |