Public Forum

CCRC held its Annual General Meeting at the weekend and held a prize-giving lunch immediately afterwards in lieu of our usual Prize Giving Dinner (and often dance).
After a year with few post-race socials it was great for everyone to get together to socialise and collect our prizes.

It was the last CCRC weekend of racing for 2021 and what a couple of days of weather!
The forecast for Saturday was light southerly breezes so a westerly at the start was a surprise – but then it died completely leaving the fleet stationary and some pointing the wrong way. Just as we were thinking we might need to abandon and restart (or even abandon and not restart) a breeze appeared from the south so we were off. The clouds cleared and there was pleasant sunshine. There then followed 5 legs of competitive racing with much changing of positions as downwind sails were used or not. The 30 min wait for the wind in the first leg meant we had to shorten though.
Sunday had a similar forecast for wind direction (Southerly) but more wind – and so it was. We had a long leg out to Horse Tail and a beat back plus a few legs around the Hayling Bay buoys before a final leg almost dead downwind to finish at WE. The stronger wind (up to 20knots) meant fewer flew their downwind sails – or needed to.
A good weekend for the last races of the year with more boats out than expected.

This weekend’s races had some interesting challenges for participation including, for some, getting sufficient fuel to get to the boat (which prevented one entrant) or to sail (which was solved by a fuel transfer at sea!).
The forecast for Saturday for the passage to the Hamble was for hardly any wind in the morning then building a little in the afternoon. A course was set to start from Chi but the lack of wind resulted in the start being moved to outside Portsmouth. After a short beat the passage up the eastern Solent was aided significantly by the tide, but this proved to be the undoing for all but one boat because when the wind dropped we were unable to pass the correct side of one buoy. Hence only one boat managed to continue on and finish; but we all had a good and challenging sail in such light airs – though we could have done without the drizzle at the start.
Those staying onboard overnight at Port Hamble had drinks together (courtesy of the Commodore) and then dinner at Banana Wharf restaurant where we sat outside warmed by patio heaters.
Sunday dawned with a little more wind and we were able to start where planned with a short beat and then a long downwind passage all the way to Chi. The question was whether to use the main channel or Dolphin Passage and at times the wind dropped to keep the question open (for the back markers). But the wind filled in and all went between the forts and then had a more speedy sail in a triangle in Hayling Bay. The finish was slightly confused by the addition of another round yellow buoy near Chi – but fortunately it did not have “Chi” written on it.

Another weekend of CCRC sailing as we gradually return to normal races and socials.
Saturday saw us sail to Cowes with a strong tide in our favour,a south-easterly wind and brilliant sunshine. However, that strong tide was a real challenge on the race leg from East Bramble back to Browndown where the fleet had to short-tack close to shore to achieve any ground. For some that leg of 1.8 miles involved 17 tacks – a great way to improve your technique for tacking!
Dinner was at Island Sailing Club where we had an excellent meal with that superb view across the Solent.
Sunday saw rain and stronger winds (up to 25knots) and some showers for the return race. The start was delayed slightly to allow a ship through what would otherwise have been us beating across the main channel. After that beat it was straight back to Chi but with some boats choosing the route through the forts and others through the dolphin passage.

Sunday saw even less wind but more CCRC competitors; and today was the crews’ race so the normal helm had to find something else to do. A course was announced and we set off beating towards the shipping channel but gradually the wind dropped and was fitful as to its actual direction. Slowly though the fleet got to the first mark and the wind started to fill in. The next leg was northwards to Chi and the downwind sails flew. Nevertheless the decision was made to shorten the race, both because of the time expired and the risk of the wind dropping again. Another great day of challenging sailing and learning more about how to sail in light airs.

Dead calm, Force 5, East wind, North wind, West wind, brilliant sunshine, dark cloud, rain, snow – we had it all in today’s race – okay I lied about the snow! Some had left the harbour with reefs in because the forecast was for force 4-6; yet arriving at the start mark – WE – we found no wind and a postponement which we all thought would not last long. Meanwhile one boat had engine problems – had they picked up a lobster pot around the prop? They headed slowly back into harbour.
An hour later there was a whisper of wind and with the threat of strong winds arriving soon a short course was set and we headed off from Sparkes. A beat to Winner and then on to Hard, then Chi, then Sparkes to finish. For some the downwind legs were slow – they had not rigged for downwind sails in light airs. But for some by the end of the race there was 15 knots of wind and soon gusts of 25 knots as the rain arrived. We scooted back into the harbour after a “changeable” day race.