RCOD Report Spring Bank Holiday weekend 27 May 2025
The RCOD fleet enjoyed breezy but fun racing over the weekend, hosted by the RBYC as part of their Spring Regatta.
Starts were off the RB line and on Saturday the RCODs requested a second race. This was fortunate as the timing allowed Coriander (Mick Hill et al) to join in after Otter morning duties had been fulfilled.
The first race took the fleet eastwards with two good beats set between Holiwell and Wallaseaness. Corpo Santo ( Clive Page) led the fleet for most of the race whilst Corinna (Martin Makey) and Coralie (Sue Law) fought closely for second place. The wind had shifted right following high water so we had an exciting short tack all the way from Holiwell to the finish. Burnham Week skills were sharpened up as we battled our way through the Squib Fleet and then the RBOD fleet. Corpo Santo gained a comfortable win but did miss the excitement of the short tacking dual. Corinna and Coralie were 2nd and 3rd respectively with Corsair in 4th place.
The fleet were joined by Coriander for the second race- an enjoyable short one using West Quay as the leeward mark and Fairway 13 for the windward. Speedy Corpo Santo won line honours followed by Corinna and Coriander. Corsair retired after braking its tiller extension.
Sunday bought in a fresh westerly gusting 25 knots ( and maybe occasionally more). Whilst the fleets under Committee Boat starts were kept ashore, the RBODs boldly decided to race and two RCODs decided that conditions were acceptable for a reefed no spinnaker sail plan. So Corpo Santo and Corinna raced on a mini town course with the windward mark West Quay and leeward mark Fairway 5. After a couple of breezy and wet laps Corpo was a clear winner so we finished and decided not to sail a second race having proved that the RCOD and its crews can handle breezy conditions (and no masts broken!).
Corpo Santo won the weekend and collected the Nada tankard ( looking at the race calendar after the event I realise it should have been the Messer Cup so this will be presented at our prizegiving). Many thanks to the RBYC and race officers Alison and team for organising some great racing.
Martin Makey
Fleet Captain