This week is was time to put all the training to good use in the RYA eSailing Spring Club Championships – Qualifier, each registered club puts forward a Club Champion to go onto the Regional Heats to be completed by 24th May. Recent form had 2 clear favourites in Phil Highfield and Daniel Harvey who were neck and neck in the Spring E-series. It was going to be 5 races of 3 laps in the 49er with 3 to count. (The higher discard count to cater for unforeseen technical difficulties) .
In the First race the usual 2 suspects were at the front in a close battle, Phil just pipping Daniel to the line by 2 seconds with Tamsin not far behind in third. Race 2 a close battle to the end, Phil first over the line with Keith pushing Daniel back into third. Phil was looking good to be club champion just needing 1 more win to claim the title. Race 3 – Another closely fought race this time Daniel taking the win by 3 seconds and Dave finding his form in Third. So at this stage Phil the Daniel with a three way tie for third. Race 4 – Would Phil seal the deal? Not this time, for a change Phil was back in the pack, Dave wining, Daniel and Keith 3rd. Still it wasn’t over if Daniel could take the win the title would be his. Race 5 – Phil got away at the windward mark with Dave a few seconds back and Daniel hot on his heals. Phil managed to hold for a comfortable win and the title, Daniel overall 2nd and Dave 3rd.
So Phil is off to the RYA East regional Qualifier (more details to follow), and he also takes the RBSC E-Spring Series title from Daniel and Tamsin in 3rd.
In a post race interviews when asking the top 2 for their race tips.
Phil – “Auto Vmg is very good on a phone or tablet, but it can hide the shifts a bit”
Daniel – “I tend to keep an eye on the top left circle and the darker areas where the wind is stronger (Phil really uses this well!) This is especially beneficial at the start. Also, if behind on the downwind leg, try and use your wind shadow to slow the other boat. A good WiFi signal helps too, it’s really frustrating when in a good position and you get kicked out! and good footwear too, I nearly came a cropper between races walking to get another beer!”
So next week a new series, format as to be confirmed, although it will still be five races each week.
The racing is getting closer and a bit more tactical. So come and Join us next week. (we can always do some informal races before Sunday if required.)
The fourth instalment of the Rollesby Broad e-Spring series was held on the 12th April in Cagliari (Italy) with a few missing from previous weeks. Phil was leading the series but Daniel had been challenging him lately. The fleet opted to stay in the now familiar 49er.
The first 2 races saw Daniel then Phil take the wins with the other 2nd, Races 3 and 4 and Daniel got out in front but Dave then Tamsin pushing Phil back into 3rd.
Race 5 and positions back to normal with Daniel taking the win from Phil. So with 1 week to go in the series it really couldn’t be closer as both are tied on 15 points
As we have entered the RYA ESailing championship and we need to have a club champion by 3rd May thats on Sunday. It looks like it will be Daniel or Phil on current form but you never know. The format is a 5 race series using the now familiar “49er” – We will have the 5 race series on the 3rd May and also include the results in the current series. (Its 2 discards in 5 to cater for technical issues).. Keith ERO
If you haven’t tried it yet it is relatively straightforward. It is easy and free to arrange an account, there is a ‘Training School’ to take you through the basics and a practice option to allow you to sail each of the craft. If required we could hold another practice session next Saturday if anyone would like to try before joining the racing on Sunday. If interested ping a message on the RBSC Sailors Chat WhatsApp group.
All these tips also apply to the real thing – And a good explanation!!
The second instalment of the Rollesby Broad e-Spring series was held on the 12th April in sunny Keil (Germany) with a few new helms joining the racing. Club members opted to stay with the 49er’s for the second set of five races. It did appear that the short journey had caused a a few glitches with the boats. (That’s my excuse- Keith)
Some Bimbling complete and Anna sticking to safety rulesLeading ladies
The ladies got off to a good start in the first race with Tamsin Highfield and Anna Zmura leading at the windward mark. Phil however managed to slip through on the final lap to just take the win, an annoying habit he’s very good at!
Tamsin managed to reverse this in the second race by just beating Phil in what was the closest finish of the day with two seconds between second and fourth place.
After a DSQ and a DNC Dan Harvey finally got back on track in race three, beating Phil by two seconds after a race long tussle.
In race four Dave Houghton had a rare moment leading the fleet for just about the whole race only to see Phil cross the line one second ahead.
Phil nicks Dave’s win!
It was a family one two in race five with Phil taking another win and Tamsin just beating Antony Barnes who took his second podium position of the day.
Overall Phil Highfield continued his good form finishing in the top two in every race and now has a clear series lead.
This week’s sailing proved to be more competitive and despite the larger fleet the time difference between first and last positions was smaller than last weeks.
If you haven’t tried it yet it is relatively straightforward. It is easy and free to arrange an account, there is a ‘Training School’ to take you through the basics and a practice option to allow you to sail each of the craft. If required we could hold another practice session next Saturday if anyone would like to try before joining the racing on Sunday. If interested ping a message on the RBSC Sailors Chat WhatsApp group.
All these tips also apply to the real thing – And a good explanation!!
Spring e-series overall (top five) 1st 49er 836 P Highfield (8pts), 2nd 49er 666 D Harvey (19pts), 3rd 49er 748 K Sykes (20 pts), 4th 49er AntB A Barnes (29 pts), 5th 49er Tazhi T Highfield) (34 pts)
Now this really is a First, 2 reports for 1 event!!!!!
Training started on Saturday – with 7 crews getting to grips with the 49er (or how to Login) which concluded with 3 quick races, Young master Highfield (Phil) taking the honours in all 3 and by a considerable margin of around 20secs after just 6 mins of racing. So we all had a clue how next the days racing would go.
Phil – Showing us how it’s done – Race Training.
Sunday.
The fleet gathered at the slight earlier time of 10am. (A Stunning day for sailing but we wont go there!) With the Fleet traveling to Aarhus – Weather a good F4 coming of the shore and a W/L course (2 laps) We were in for some exciting if not unpredictable racing!. Some pre-sailing whatsapp banter, a virtual cuppa and E-ccles cake and the fleet were ready to launch. There were some hopeful faces as the first boats launched, then those faces fell. “Dam there’s Phil!!!”
Race 1 started A good start saw Phil and Keith get away from the rest of the fleet heading for the upwind mark, It was all very tight at the mark, Keith on Starboard and Phil coming in hard on Port, Phil decided there was room and tacked in front, Keith failed to avoid (was there room!!), The Jury said yes, and a Keith took the Penalty, Phil now with a near 100m lead and Daniel taking 2nd spot, Phil must have made a mistake as Daniel closed to within 2 seconds at the finish but couldn’t quite overhaul him, Keith in 3rd some 15 seconds behind. Phil was still looking good but not quite as convincing as the night before.
“Probably shouldn’t have run into the back of Phil” – Keith
“I probably shouldn’t have clipped the committee boat at the start 🙄” – Daniel
“I started doing 360s at the start !!” – Dave
Race 2 Finished in the Same order as Race 1 with Anthony just outside the top 3.
“Sorry to whoever’s boat I cut in half, send me the bill 🙄
“I think I ploughed thro Anthony just after the start. Sorry – Dave “No Probs” Anthony
“I thought I had a great start, the OOD disagreed” – Keith (Sadly no Protests) “Welcome to my world” -Dave
Race 3 Racing was even closer just 8 seconds between the top 3, Keith – Just pipping Phil to the Line by 1 second, Daniel then Dace just behind.
Race 4 Phil and Daniel in that order just separated by 7 seconds the Anthony taking a well deserved 3rd.
Race 5 This was the closest race , with all 5 finishers within 40 seconds, It may have been Phil’s Day with 3 bullets and 2 seconds to discard but this race when to Daniel by just 1 second having battled hard all day.
The Fleet returned to shore to lick there wounds and do some major repairs,
Back on shore………..
“I think Phil should be given a handicap (maybe tie one hand behind his back? Or he has to have Henrietta on his lap to ‘help’ with pressing buttons?) 🤪” – Daniel “She was wondering in and out while he was playing…but I can arrange for her to sit on his lap…” Tamsin Thanks, it’s only fair! 😇 – Daniel
Click image for full results, including Race tables.
Same Time next week…… The more the merrier. (Max 20 boats, 1st come basis)
Keith
Great Minds or Buses?? (Busss I think!)
Now this really is a First, 2 reports for 1 event!!!!!
With the current situation preventing all sporting events normal club sailing has temporally been cancelled until further notice. However, this has not stopped members of RBSC who took to their pc’s and tablets to join in the Spring e-sailing series. Using one of the best virtual sailing platforms members swapped their normal craft of Solos. Lasers and Wayfarers for 49er’s, sailing around a course in Aarhus in Denmark!
With races lasting for less than ten minutes five races were held. Penalties are automatically enforced for any rule infringements and the Virtual Race Officer takes a dim view when you plough through the Committee boat at the start!!
Phil Highfield and Dan Harvey were the front runners in the first two races with Highfield just holding of Harvey by a few seconds each time.
In race three Keith Sykes was first off the line and took an early lead. Highfield slowly closed the gap over the two lap race and at the finish Sykes crossed the line just one second ahead.
Unfortunately for Sykes he was unable to produce another perfect start ending up last over the line in race four. Highfield and Harvey lead the fleet opening up a good lead with Highfield taking line honours. Antony Barnes led the rest of the fleet home to finish third.
In the final race the usual suspects were again at the front of the fleet with just a few seconds separating Highfield, Harvey and Sykes. This remained right up to the finish with Harvey beating Highfield by just one second.
With everyone appearing to enjoy the friendly competition all were looking forward to the second installment next Sunday.
It probably won’t come as any surprise, but we have taken the decision to Cancel the Solo / Single- hander Open meeting due to be held at Rollesby Broad on April 19th.
At present we see no point in trying to rearrange a date, we will keep an eye on the situation and if normal service resumes quickly we may try to find a date at the end of the season. This seems unlikely and we wish you all well and look forward to being able to welcome all of our regular visitors in April 2021.
Ian Ayres
March 23rd…..
I regret that following the Prime Ministers broadcast Informing us of the new restrictions on movement/meetings etc tonight the club will close with immediate effect.
I hope that you all remain fit and healthy and look forward to seeing you all at the club later in the summer. Regards Stuart(commodore)
The general committee, myself and the club safety officer have discussed the matter and considering the serious situation with the coronavirus
Organised club racing will be suspended until further notice.
Group meetings in the clubhouse are cancelled
The club workday on the 28th March cancelled
Try Sailing events are postponed.
Unless further restrictions are made by the government the club will not close and members may visit the site and sail if they wish. If you do sail please consider your own safety and it would be worthwhile ensuring that at least one other boat is afloat to render assistance if necessary. Of course it remains the sailors own responsibility to decide if they are confident to sail safely in the prevailing conditions.
You can use the WhatsApp group to find a sailing buddy.
Please limit your use of the clubhouse and facilities, avoid using the kitchen and crockery and bring your own prepared food and drink. Ensure that you follow the government guidelines regarding hand washing and personal distancing when on site. Please change into and out of your sailing kit in your cars or arrive ready to sail. If you have any symptoms however slight or have been in contact with someone with the symptoms please follow government advice and stay away from the club.
Don’t forget from the 1st April you can sail on any day of the week. It’s a shame to take this step but the safety of members must come first. I hope that you all keep well and look forward to getting the club up and sailing again.
The course will be run by club members in both members’ boats and our own club boats.
The course will be open to both youngsters and adults.
Sailing is perceived as being an expensive sport. Nothing could be further from the truth. You don’t even need to own a boat since we have a fleet of club boats available.
For more information all Rachel or Pete on 01953 606334.
