Thames Sailing Club
Windy Windy July.
Three raters decided to race Sunday 6th July as the vicious winds abated just in time for the start. Iona was helmed by Nick Hoskins, with Alistair and his nephew crewing, Wings was helmed by Chris Martin, with Krispy Kreme and Chris (the plumber who looks like super Mario) crewing. I helmed Lady Jane with Mel on jib and a friend of Mark's (my son), Andy as mid hand.
One or two huge gusts came returned before the start. The 'prevailing' wind was SW, coming straight down the river. The gusts came with 30 degree shifts! We checked the line for bias, when we left the Middlesex end of the line we were planning on a starboard reach, when we got half way across the river we were head to wind in a flat calm!
Iona retired before the start, only to decide that she was little bit braver and returned to the fray. Chris sailed upwind, only to return after the starting signal. We won the start easily, then all hell let loose! The wind oscillated a few times before we got caught by one enormous gust. I let the main out completely and we were still going over! I managed to scream at Mel (sorry Mel) to dump the jib and we saved the day!
Lady Iona retired for the second time and went home. A sound decision. We followed suit. I could see a huge gust coming down the river and decided to head home under full sail in the hope that we could make it ashore before it hit. Luckily there was space in front of the club house and we just made it.
Chris and crew completed one lap then decided to drop the main at B and came home under jib alone.
Words by Nick Fribbens.
Page last updated: 09/07/2008 12:27:57
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