Author: CCRC Editor

After two weekends with strong winds which resulted in race cancellations we finally had a weekend with gentle breezes forecast – maybe too little to race! Nevertheless 8 boats turned out to race on the Saturday and 6 on Sunday. Both days the PROs set courses which could be easily shortened but by circling a ring of buoys it gave a wide variation of sailing angles.
With downwind sails forbidden some legs could have been very slow but on Saturday there was a little more wind than promised. Indeed, after a 15min start postponement the wind backed to the west and and kicked in reliably and even peaked at 18 knots! I am sure we all enjoyed a sail with some brisk and some gentle legs in the sun though cooled by the sea breeze.
Sunday was a more gentle race with a peak wind of around 13 knots but the fleet all completed a slightly longer course.

Ten boats turned out for the Commodore’s Bender at the weekend which consisted of two innovative races with distant socialising lunch at anchor between them. It was fortunate the event was delayed from Saturday to Sunday as the weather then provided plenty of wind for racing but a calm and sunny anchorage for lunch. It was a shame a few were unable to take part due to the date change. The races allowed competitors to decide on their own start time (within limits) which made for an easier start but more difficulty seeing how you were performing. As for lunch the bay was popular but plenty of room for all, and some hung off other anchored boats to save hassle.
A super day and great to be back on the water.

Members of Yacht Owners Associations are invited to a one-off race between members and their associations in the Solent on Saturday 9th May 2020.
This is intended to be a fun event to promote on-the-water competition and socialising between the participants and the Owners Associations.
Following the race, participants are invited to gather in Cowes Yacht Haven and attend a prize-giving dinner.
The event is organised by Chichester Cruiser Racing Club which has organised races for boats in the Chichester Harbour area for over 70 years.

Our thanks to our member presenters at the Winter Social which proved still more popular this year than last. Ross talked and showed a video about his Round The Island race where they did well to finish in such light airs; Richard and Pam talked through their escapade involving a lobster pot requiring a lifeboat off Cherbourg last summer; and Patrick and Amanda presented their cruise round Scotland, across the North Sea and down the coast of Norway. I think we all appreciated the presentations and range of topics.
We also talked through the CCRC programme for this 2020 focussing on some of the changes from the usual programme or innovations for this year. Then we all retired to the bar at Itchenor Sailing Club for some sociable drinks before the carvery roast dinner.

The CCRC Prize Giving Dinner Dance took place last Saturday at the Langstone Quays Hotel on Hayling Island.
At this black-tie “do” we started with a glass of bubbly and then a three course meal followed by the prize giving. Club trophies for 2019 were announced for all the winners for races, mini-series, season series, and other special sailing awards such as best performance in a race outside of the CCRC and long distance sailing.
A full list of who won what can be found on the CCRC web site at www.ccrc.co.uk/trophy-winners.
Then we were entertained by the “Simply Jazz Quartet” with some great music to which a number of us danced through until midnight. A great time was had by all.

CCRC’s visit to the RNLI college yesterday was a great success with all enjoying it tremendously, especially the rescue at the end.
Our guide showed us the extent of the RNLI site now which includes not just the college but also the new building where the all weather lifeboats are built. We saw the training pool which can simulate waves, rain and high winds for training with their ribs.
Finally we entered the simulator where our Commodore acted as lifeboat coxswain and Patrick Marshall as helm while other members acted as crew. We headed out from Dover to where a container ship had collided with a bulk carrier which was now on fire. We joined a rescue operation with a coast-guard cutter and helicopter to rescue those in the water. This was made more difficult as a squall came through but we recovered four survivors before heading back into Dover. Finally we had an excellent lunch overlooking Poole harbour.
We had a good time, learned much more about the RNLI and now appreciate their efforts even more.

Despite a forecast of high winds for the weekend there was a good turnout on the starting line for both CCRC fleets on Saturday. The dependable forecast allowed a long course including three beats, three runs and a fetch with many flying spinnakers or cruising chutes for the downwind legs. Even the forecasted rain held off until the evening apart from a few spots. A terrific day for an exciting race.
The evening saw us cross to Portsmouth from Gosport and head for the historic Royal Naval Club and Royal Albert Yacht Club for drinks and dinner where the race results were announced.
Sunday, with stronger winds forecast and some needing to get home early, saw only a few boats on the start line. A simple course of a beat and then long downwind run to Chi saw the fleet of four split with half using downwind sails and half not; half going between the forts and half going through the Dolphin passage. All participants were back well before lunch.

Saturday’s race saw a beautiful autumn day with a light breeze. After the rolling start and windward leg we headed out downwind and across the shipping lane towards the Isle of Wight for further race legs outside Bembridge. Unfortunately the wind got lighter meaning the race was shortened but still some were unable to finish against the strong tide.
Then it was over to Bembridge Sailing Club for an excellent dinner.