Snow Globe race 5 and 6 Report

On Saturday 25^th November the dinghy fleet had their 3^rd round of the Snow Globe Series. The forecast for the weekend had been looking a little breezy to say the least. But thank fully the forecast change on Friday and 18 boats went racing in a slightly swinging WNW 10-15 knot breeze and 4 degrees. The Course was a start with the line square to the river and the outer distance mark about half way across the river. With a beat up to West Quay, then a run down to an inflatable just down river of the RCYC before sailing back through the line with three laps to make the race.

The first race started at high tide which meant no tidal flow and everyone spread down the line. The fleet stayed in the middle of the river and there was close racing at the front with Steve and Alison Hall sailing their Merlin Rocket and Charlie Matthews in his Blaze. That was until Charlie found out how gusty and shifty the conditions were and capsized to windward upwind. This was not the only capsize of the race with another 3 following suit. James Hutton-Penman sailing his ILCA 6 had noticed the tide was still flooding in the middle during the race which took him to victory by 90 seconds. This was over Charlie Matthews who sailed his socks off to recover after his capsize. Followed by Keith Gilmore sailing his ILCA 6 in 3^rd. 

The second race started shortly after slightly less wind as the tide had now fully turned and was ripping out which meant short taking and the wind had swing a bit to the north which meant larger shift and wind holes. This provided for intense racing right in front of the club for all to watch. Jason Phelps was the only boat who opted to start in the middle of the river and sail to the south shore. While the north shore proved very slow with some boats only just making past the town quay before Jason had already got past the BSC. Unfortunately for Jason he capsized and with the tide lost the lead rounding third on the water. Steve and Alison Hall were first on the water but could not save their time over Charlie Matthews in his Blaze who won on corrected by 30 seconds. But both were around three minutes ahead of Malcolm Hutchings in his Blaze who came in third.

This means at the top it is now very tight with 1 points difference covering the top 3 boats. Charlie Matthews has leapfrogged everyone to 1^st place with 7 points, 2^nd  is James Hutton-Penman also with 7 points and 3^rd is Steve and Alison Hall with 8 points.

Please come to the RCYC as this is a great event to watch from in the club with the racing for two hours with the first start at 10:30.

Thank you to all of the volunteers in the race box and on the support RIBS, without you we would not be able to have such a good event. We are always looking for volunteers so if you would like to support this event please let the RCYC Office know.

Adam Prior

Dinghy Class Captain