Autumn Regatta Report

Despite a heavy downpour during pre-race rigging, nineteen boats took to the water for Rollesby’s 2020 Autumn regatta. 

In the multisail fleet, only the Wayfarers had listened to the sailing instructions, starting on time but enjoying a close race with Bob Sparrow & Steve Gibbons taking a narrow but important win from Auriel Gibson and Lindsey Nettleton. In race 2 Howard Astley-Jones was hot of the line in his Vareo and did a horizon job on the Wayfarers. Sparrow took second and the class cup!

In the much larger single-sailed fleet the racing was much more mixed; indeed the overall winner counted two thirds it was that mixed up! In race 1 Richard Brown and Chris Foster in Lasers led from Ian Ayres’ Solo early on. Daren Pike took his Phantom past them all but could not establish a large enough lead and it was Roger Wilson in his Solo who recovered from a slow start to take the win from Ayres with Ellie Edwards sitting comfortably well in mid pack in her Splash.

In race 2 the slower boats all wanted to get onto port tack as soon as possible, but only Wilson cleared the faster craft, who chose to start on starboard and he established a good lead early on. The breeze was somewhat erratic, but enough to capsize several of the leading bunch, including Wilson. The Lasers of Dan Bull and Matt Boreham (despite some penalty turns) were able to take advantage of this and pull out good distance as the rest recovered. There was a good ladies race going on in the bunch with Edwards beating Tamsin Highfield (Streaker) by just 4 seconds to give her the overall win over Wilson and Bull.

The Autumn (Oct / Nov) series begins next weekend with separate starts. If we manage to get catering back up and running as as is planned we may even get some afternoon racing in!

Multisails (4 Entries)

1. Bob Sparrow & Steve Gibbons (Wayfarer) – 3 pts
2. Howard Astley-Jones (Vareo) – 4
3. Auriel Gibson & Lindsey Nettleton – 5

Single Handers (15 Entries)

1. Ellie Edwards (Splash)– 6 pts
2. Roger Wilson (Solo) – 7 pts
3. Dan Bull (Laser) – 8
4. Ian Ayres (Solo) – 10
5. Matt Boreham (Laser) – 12
6. Tamsin Highfiled (Streaker) – 12
7. Richard Brown (Laser) – 14
8. Chris Foster (Laser) – 14
9. Jack Ibbotson (Finn) – 19
10. John Saddington (Solo) – 20
11. Richard Foster (Laser) – 25
12. Tom Quale (RS300) – 27

Autumn Regatta – Sunday 11 October.

We are pleased to advise that the Site is now open and the Autumn Regatta will be held on Sunday 11 October.


At present there still three damaged branches in trees that could be considered dangerous the areas are marked with tape, our landlords hope to have these removed by the weekend but if the work is not completed and the tape is still present please give the areas a wide berth.


As last weeks workday had to be cancelled it is proposed to hold it this coming Saturday, generally the site needs a good tidy up after the recent winds and so if you attend please bring tools such as spades, shears, loppers, strimmers, wheelbarrows, rakes etc. 

A visit to site to check your boat and cover (many covers are supporting quite a lot of water) and to ensure your boat is well tied down is recommended.
 
The good news :- Angie is due to recommence catering on 18th October. Initially she will be serving drinks and snacks but the menu may be extended in the following weeks if there is sufficient demand. 

The bad news:- Masks will have to be worn in the clubroom until you are seated or have gone outside to eat your food also social distancing must be observed when queuing, sitting in the clubroom and of course outside. A one way system will be operated; in through the back door and out through the front door.

We will put some signs up to make it clear.


We after all that I hope the you all have a good sail on Sunday and enjoy the workday.
Stuart

Autumn Regatta Postponed!

Hi All
Due to the dangerous tree situation the club site remains closed.
We were due to begin winter sailing this weekend, with split starts for the multi-sails and single-handers, at the Autumn Regatta.
As the site is unlikely to have been cleared due to the tree surgeon’s high workload after last weekend we have decided to postpone the Regatta until the following Sunday – 11th October. 

The work day due to take part on Saturday will also be postponed (new date tbc).

Should we get late notice that the site is open for Sunday the two races will count as the first for the Autumn series instead.

Can we take this opportunity to remind you that to cover your insurance your boat does need to be tied down in the boat park. This is as much to ensure you are covered if it is blown into and damages neighbouring boats as damage to your own craft. Last weekend’s gale was both extreme and a bit unseasonal, but as the leaves clear from the trees the boat park does become more exposed to winter breezes.

We will update you on the site situation as soon as we have further information ourselves.


Keep safe.

RBSC

Wayfarer Training Day (Saturday 19th Sept)

Wayfarer Training Day (Saturday 19th Sept)
Hosted by our very own Wayfarer expert! Mike McNamara will begin with a talk through boat set up and tuning, followed by several short racing exercises concentrating on starting and then spinnaker handling, let’s get some colourful sails up! A spinnaker is not essential to join in the day………

If you can be at the club with your boat rigged (or at least partly rigged) by about 11 am it would help.

Note the club toilets will be open, but not the changing rooms or club room, please come dressed for the weather and bring a packed lunch / drinks.


Whilst the technical tuning bits will be particularly focused on Wayfarers, the exercises and tips will be similar for any traditional symmetrical spinnaker boat so these will be welcome too.

If you are likely to come can you please let Ian know on Sunday 13th (if you haven’t already) or by the contacts below so we have some Idea of numbers and when everyone has arrived.

See you on the water!


Ian Ayres
01692 670547
sailing@rbsc.org.uk

Return to ‘Near Normal’ Sunday sailing.

Following another successful Sunday morning sailing (16 boats in July!) the committee have been considering how we can return to a somewhat more normal program for most of August and September.

Please note – this was written before the RYA’s latest instructions of 29th July – we will keep you updated as we know more ourselves! – see footnote

This weekend (Sun 2nd August) will run as we have been, with two informal pursuit races; race officer already sorted!.

Sunday 9th August – Summer Regatta
2 morning handicap races – both to count! 

Subsequent Sundays
2 handicap races, in the mornings only, to count for the summer series. At present we cannot return to normal catering so have no intention to run afternoon racing (which to be fair is poorly supported – especially in the summer). We hope this might change by September (who knows?) and will continue to keep Angie updated.

Racing will continue to be subject to lower wind limits than usual due to safety boat restrictions, competitors need to be aware of this.

There will be no Eels Foot Race in August due to the safety boat / race crew restrictions.

Currently we can have two people in the race box – provided they are socially distanced, but only one in the rescue boat.
Wed evening racing will continue as per the program, but the 4pm race will hopefully continue through September (and possibly beyond) subject to demand – this could become a permanent fixture next year? 
Cheers All 

Nice to be back on the water even if one race was enough for me!

Ian

NB.RYA update of 29th July – this implies that for the Regatta on the 9th we will be able to accept entries from double handed crews who are not within an ‘existing household / bubble’ and that similarly we can man the rescue boat with two people in a similar manner. Please bear with us, we need to check the slightly blurry details in this document and how it relates to our Covid risk assessment before we can put these changes into action.

Informal Pursuit racing on a Sunday!

The ten boats who ignored the forecast (west force1) enjoyed two informal pursuit races in a gentle north easterly force 2. – Well what else would you expect at Rollseby!

The Solos starting first showed a little ring rust as they headed off to the wrong mark, allowing the Lasers of Clive Girling and Daniel Harvey to over take on the first lap. Clive took full advantage of the shifting winds to eke out a commanding lead, Simon Strode recovered to pull through to second, with Daniel third and Chris Foster using his spinnaker to good effect to bring his Laser 2 through from the last sater tto fourth at the finish.

Race two saw the Solos of Simon and Mike Horwitz slowly pull away from the fleet, using the cleaner air they had to good effect and some better angles at mark approaches. Mike taking the win from Simon after a close battle througout. The Lasers used their close quarter tacking ability to eventually get away from the Wayfarers with Daniel taking class honours this time.

We intend to run this format for the next three Sundays (safe weather permittng), why not come and join in.

Race 1 (9 entries)

1. Clive Girling (Laser)
2. Simon Strode (Solo)
3. Daniel Harvey (Laser)
4. Chris Foster (Laser 2)

Race 2 (8)

1. Mike Horwitz (Solo)
2. Simon Strode (Solo)
3. Daniel Harvey (Laser)
4. Clive Girling (Laser)

Daniel is this weeks Star

With the roll of the dice last week selecting the Star class for this weeks sailing it was a rather more sedate week for the e-sailors.

Dave was first off the start line in race one. The fleet split with Phil and Tamsin choosing the left hand side which proved to be the best route and lead rounding the windward mark. It was tight going into the final run with Dave and Phil tussling for wind leaving Tamsin to take the win and Phil second.

Phil hit the line with speed in race two to take and early lead.  After a poor start (for him!) Dan recovered well to challenge Phil on the final leg with both crossing the line with the same time but the e-judge decision gave the win to Phil.

Dave took an early lead in race three and lead until the final hundred metres when Dan covered well and snuck past.

In race four the fleet were fairly close with Dan just ahead at the windward mark but then built a good lead at the finish with Phil a comfortable second.

In the final ‘official’ race of the day Antony appeared to have fitted foils to his Star as he sped away at the start building up a good lead at the finish. Ian rounded the windward mark second and sailed well to hold on to second ahead of a charging Dan and Keith.

After two weeks Dan and Phil lead, clearly these two  have the x-factor compared with the rest of the fleet but it’s getting closer every week as the rest begin to work out the finer points of the ‘game’.

As has become the norm,  we then decided to compete in some unofficial racing in the other classes so we opted to race a few of the faster classes for some fun.

Dave.

Todays Results

Full Series Results here…

Good luck to Phil Highfield representing the club in East Region eSailing heats. These will take place at 18:30 on Monday evening (18th) and hopefully the regional finals at 18:30 on the 20th May. (I pop the details of how to watch on Whatsapp group when we have them,)

Cork of the Broads

This year the traditional Cock of the Broads race, sailed annually from time immemorial at the Thurne Mouth Open Regatta on the late May Bank Holiday, has had to be cancelled.

In its place a new one-off event has been arranged, the Cork of the Broads. Corks, each numbered with the sail or identification number of any vessel entered, will be started from a bucket at a convenient, if somewhat socially isolated, bridge “somewhere” on the Norfolk Broads. You don’t even have to have a boat to enter. A numbered cork allocated to you will still race.

After tackling a tricky course, beset by swans, adverse currents and flukey winds, the winning cork will be deemed to be the first to reach the floating line across the water at the finish. A lifetime’s collection of a racing fleet of corks has been assembled for the race. The corks will be retrieved to avoid clogging the waterways, and maybe to be used again…

Please pass the word amongst your clubs, chums and rich relations. The cause is a worthy one we believe. The Care Workers Charity looks out for those who have become the Cinderella service in the fight against Covid-19. Very much in the front line, since they care for the most at risk, they have not received the charitable support that the NHS has deservedly enjoyed. We hope that this bit of fun on the water will help, in a small way, to do something for those who carry so much of a burden at this terrible time.

If you haven’t yet, please donate on the link below, and if you have, please pass on the link so we can reach the target, or even surpass it!

P.S. Don’t forget to email your entry details to corkotb@icloud.com to be sure of your entry/entries. Thank you for your support. 

RBSC E-series 2 Report

With the lockdown restrictions still in place,  today saw the commencement of the second e-series.   This follows the conclusion of the clubs initial series last week in which Phil was crowned overall winner and hence having the responsibility of representing the club in the e-sailing regional championship.

With the ‘newbies’ to the game now getting to grips with their craft the racing is proving to be closer with just about everyone heading the fleet at some point. And with the exception of one race everyone finished with 46 seconds of each other, another indication of how everyone was improving.

It proved to be a slow start for our newly crowned champion as it took a couple of races to get back to his winning ways !

In race one Tamsin, Dan & Keith led the fleet by some distance with Phil having to go back after a premature start.  On the final downwind leg Tamsin appeared to have the race until the technical gremlins ejected her from the game leaving Dan to take the win. The has led to a new race classification of GBO !

Dan took an early lead in race two which he held throughout the race with Keith, Phil and Dave fighting over the next three places. On the line Keith crossed just ahead of Phil then Dave.  Just behind Antony and Ian enjoyed a close tussle throughout the race with Antony crossing the line 1.5 seconds ahead. Tamsin again ‘disappeared’ from the water, perhaps she needs to speak to technical support !

The fleet were closely bunched up the first windward leg in race three. Dan was choosing the upwind routes well and edged round the windward mark first followed by Dave. By the final downward leg Dan had opened up a good lead over Dave who was just ahead of Keith and Phil who were covering each other, Phil eventually crossing the line half a second ahead of Keith.

Phil finally got back to his winning ways in race four after leading Dave and Dan round the course with Dan edging Dave out of second place by 0.1 seconds and Keith and Ian just behind.

In the final ‘official’ race of the day Phil again lead the fleet closely followed by Dan. Only a few seconds separated Dave and Keith on the final downwind leg with Dave just managing to hold on against a charging Keith.

So Dan takes an early lead in the series but Phil is close behind. With the racing thus far taken place in 49er’s the general consensus was to try another craft for next week. This lead to the decision to try all them so for the following weeks we will be sailing, Stars, Formula 18, F50, J70, Offshore Yachts and finally the Nacra 17. So in order to prepare for this Keith kindly set up a few practise races in Stars, F18 and F50.

Full Results on Website here…..