The dismal forecast for the penultimate weekend of the Redwing & One-Design season was certainly true for Sunday morning (heavy rain and Northerly 6), however Saturday morning was better than expected. As there were no other Redwings wanting to race, Richard Jessel and Crispin Kenyon boosted the One-Design numbers instead.

Six One-Designs lined up off Nainby in the F3 SSE’erly breeze and headed to their first windward mark, Old Church. Although not far, the fickle breeze began to show that the rest of the race was going to be quite challenging. First round by at least three boat lengths was Jos Coad sailing single handed in No 12. Next was Anna Row with James crewing in No 8, followed closely by Hugh Doherty (single handed) in No 10, Crispin & Richard in No 11, James & Andrew Palmer in No 3 and Martin Bonham (also single handed) in No 2.

On the long, and as it turned out when the breeze began to drop off, rather boring run to Ruthven the fleet spread either side of the direct line. Jos in No 12 dropped off the pace and it was Anna in No 8 who was the first to round with Hugh in No 10 and Martin in No 2 hot on her heels. The beat back to Pepe would have been more exciting had the breeze got up; as it was, it was slow but challenging work; the front three boats tacked fairly early in towards the Bembridge shore while the back three continued to head with the tide towards Seaview. Although No 3 & No 11 wisely tacked before they got too far down-tide, No 12 continued on towards Seaview!

Although the original course had them heading off the Janson and back to Pepe to finish, the course was sensibly shortened at Pepe as the breeze dropped off even further. Anna in No 8, having gone the furthest inshore, crossed the line three minutes ahead of Martin in No 2; Hugh in No 10 was third over four minutes later. Crispin in No 11 was fourth, the Palmers in No 3 were fifth and Jos brought up the rear quite a long way back.

With the breeze dropping right off and the tide ebbing, everyone gratefully took up the offer a tow back to their moorings!

Despite initial enthusiasm by James & Andrew Palmer for a race, heavy rain & the F6 NE’erly which offered no chance to find any sheltered waters, meant that racing on Sunday morning was cancelled. It’s the last two days keelboat racing next weekend and then it is the Illusion’s turn to take to the water for their winter season!