Report on the Paul Iverson Trophy Race
Saturday, July 26^th 2008

Following a briefing at the committee boat, Lady Louellis, nine boats came to the start line in almost ideal conditions with a force three to four south westerly wind. The committee boat start, off Shakespeare beach, saw the fleet away first time. Leading from the line it was Savoir Vivre (Barry Tipping) closely followed by Rush (Ken Lees), Augustina (Glen Springett) and New Limit (Hilary Graves).

At the Varne, the first mark, it was Savoir Vivre, Rush, Augustina, New Limit and Karibia Breezes (Bernard Sealy). Then making an impressive sight, following her long refurbishment Jabulisa (Caroline and Maurice Kirk), on her first outing, began to show her paces.
At the next mark, off Sandgate, the three leading boats, lead by Rush, ran out of wind as they closed with the shore, enabling the rest of the fleet to catch up. Jabulisa managed to round the mark first, just ahead of Karibia Breezes, then Savoir Vivre who had got back into the wind, retrieving some of the lost ground. Next it was Augustina, New Limit and eventually Rush, then the gallant Star in the Wind (John and Caroline Uden). Blue Point (Roger Hunter) and Ravon (Jim McKenzie) having retired at the Varne due to lack of wind and adverse tide.
After passing the port hand buoy off Folkestone the race time limit was extended by 30 minutes as the wind had decreased, so enabling all to finish. The order over the line was Savoir Vivre, Rush, Karibia Breezes, New Limit, Augustina, Jabulisa and Star in the Wind (complete with mackerel line).            

Corrected Positions
Augustina
Karibia Breezes
New Limit
Star in the Wind
Jabulisa
Rush
Savoir Vivre

Thanks go to Ian and Steph Larman for acting as committee boat and official photographer.

Photographs

All who wish can see their boat on a fantastic disc of race photographs, which includes all starters, can be purchased, for a small donation to the club refurbishment fund either over the bar or by contacting the Hon Sec.

Report by Race Officers, Dave and Lesley Sinnock

Report on the Race held Saturday 21 June2008

for the John Davidson Plate - won by ‘RUSH’

Although there was a poor forecast, Saturday’s race turned out to be fine with a light SSW wind for the down wind start. Three boats started between the South Foreland and the committee boat. This was Ken Dupuy’s classic racer, Sabreur, with David Ford at the helm. With so little wind the course was reduced to Downs, Goodwin Fork, Deal Bank and then South Foreland finish.

Heading for the Downs buoy, Rush (Sigma 35) and Savoir Vivre (Sigma 362) soon had their spinnakers out, whilst Star in the Wind (Southerly) increased her speed with a poled genoa. Although the start was delayed to lessen the tide against after rounding Downs, it was still too strong for Star in the Wind - so they resorted to the iron genny.

Up to the Downs, Rush had the edge on Savoir Vivre. However on the return inshore tack Savoir Vivre found a lift in the wind and easier tides and pulled a good five minutes ahead of Rush, before tacking out towards the SW Goodwin – a misunderstanding only cleared up after a call from Rush. The wind had increased slightly and with the inshore advantage, Rush now pulled well ahead. Tacking back towards St Margaret’s and then down towards the South Foreland, Savoir Vivre was closing on Rush, but Rush held out to finish ten minutes before Savoir Vivre.

Prize giving was held over for Sunday evening to join up with the Paul Iverson Trophy winner, however rough seas and gales forced Sunday’s race to be postponed

Hilary Graves, RC Sailing.

Sailing, so far and to come - 2008

So far this year, after a brave Frostbite Sail by Blue Point and Panteleon in January, the strong winds have forced us to abandon our last two cruises. In fact last Sunday 13 April proved to be a breezy bright sailing day, particularly for the early birds who got out towards Deal and back and missed the gusty hail showers which caught some out. There were plenty of boats out in the Downs including sleek racers from the Royal Temple, which rounded the Brake and them set spinnakers for the run back north.

And to come, looking through the year’s programme for sailing it became apparent that we should put the Eastbourne cruise back one-week from the 13^th to the 20^th for better tides westwards.

Our next cruise to Dunkerque, 44 miles, is on the bank holiday weekend of 3/5 May (Dover HW, 3^rd 1006, 4^th 1047, 5th 1129 BST). Dover boats are entitled to the Transmanche reduced rate at the Port du Grand Large, which includes free bikes and a free bus service both to town and the neighbouring seaside village of St Malo. We are planning to eat in an excellent restaurant in St Malo unless we hear of better recommendations. On Sunday, some happy mudlarks may choose to sail down to Gravelines and overnight in the Bassin Vauban. One drawback is that we will have to leave at HW on Monday for the return to Dover, with the tide against us for the first four hours. But the worst of the tide can be avoided by doing a ‘Dick’ and keeping close into the sandy shore - watch out for the wrecks though! 

Please let me know by email , or phone 01227 471068 or text mob 07799660065 and enter your name on the Dunkerque list on the Sailing Board in the Club, if you are thinking of coming so that I can ‘warn Dunkerque’.

Many people have voiced interest in our cruise to St Katherine’s Haven (94M) starting Saturday 31^st May; that’s just six weeks’ time, with near neaps HW at 0838 BST. If we leave at HW+3 we should have fair tides for most of the next ten hours. Fast boats may complete the trip in one day. Others may prefer to stop overnight near Queenborough (49M) with a good anchorage in Starfleet Creek or else carry on to Gravesend (a further 22 M).

On Sunday 1^st June HW Dover is 0931 and 2140 BST and St Katherine’s Haven is HW+2.45 on Dover, with lock opening HW-2 to HW+1½. So, the very latest we could arrive to lock-in in the morning is 1030 and the earliest in the evening is 2215. St Katherine’s is 23M from Gravesend and 45M from Queenborough. The choice is between either a dawn dash from Gravesend or a leisurely afternoon and evening cruise from Queenborough up the Thames. Please check my figures and let me know if you find errors or have suggestions. The Thames Barrier should be open on both Saturday and Sunday; according to the website it will be closed for 3hours on 5th June. To make sure of berths we will need to give St K’s notice so please let me know if you are thinking of coming with your boat’s name and LOA.

Returning on Sat 7^th June HWD 0206 and 1330 means locking out of St K’s at 0351 latest (that is just about sunrise) or 1445 earliest in the afternoon - not a good prospect either way. It might be worth considering leaving a day earlier or later. T Thank you for the responses I have received so far.  Happy Sailing! 
            Hilary 17^th April 2008