The class was involved in two races this Saturday(18th) with the first counting towards the Helmsman Cup! The committee had put Victories in with Division 2 start, the first at 1020. The course provided by the committee was (after deciphering several transmissions) line- 5J(port)-5P(port)-line, twice round. The committee boat stationed 200m south west of 5P was going to make the leg to the line interesting with a required quick loop to the finish.
Luckily two Victories turned up to definitely make a valid Class race! With a collection of boats on Div 2… Folkboat, First 21.2, Half tonner, First 33.7, with 7 boats in Div 1.
So race one, Zilch and Zelia starting towards the pin, with the larger boats coming in late at the committee boat.
Zilch was overtaken by Sweet Pea (first 33.7) on the starboard lay line to the first mark. Due to dealing with the larger yachts, Zella managed to squeeze past Zilch at the mark to become the lead victory. A small issue with Zella’s kite launch allowed Zilch to overtake to windward. At 5P (www.victoryclass.org.uk/portsmouth100), Sweet Pea set for a port rounding, giving a worry of confusion to the following yachts. Zilch approached the mark with Challenger(First 40.7) a boat length behind. Which way were the yachts to round… luckily both to port!!!
Now for the interesting manoeuvre to tack quickly for the line!!! Trying to keep wind without losing out to a windshadow for the huge div one yacht! Challenger tacks allowing Zilch to follow without losing the wind and a sharp intake of breath as his bow crossed the stern of Zilch.
With Sweet Pea rounding a different way it was a race for not just Class but division win for the Victories. Zelia rounded to port with the next group of Tempests in Div 1. Zilch went through the line and cleared their wind from Challenger. Zelia continued north along the channel… maybe forgot about the line in the course (perhaps one of those Victory blunders, or was it just the course transmission?!)
The race continued with the positions not changing after Zelia returned to the line on round one. 1st Zilch and 2nd Zelia… PSC handicap results to follow….
Now race 2…..
The wind had veered slightly making the line a little squarer but the tide still favouring the pin end of the line. Course set line (no position change)-5G(port, Baker Trayte)-5P(stbd)-line, again two laps. At least the committee saw the error of the course in the first race with the loop!!!!
Again both Victories competed for the pin, Zilch cleared the pin with Zelia and Mistress (Folkboat) following. Mistress putting pressure on trying to get through both Victories to windward. Out to the tide, Zilch managed to work to Mistress’s line to allow her to tack to cover Zelia, who had tacked to clear her wind. Zilch, piped Sweet Pea to Baker Trayte and hoisted first, Zelia following as the third boat…
No Div one to contend with yet. Sweet Pea … rounds 5P successfully to starboard!!! Followed by both Zilch and Zelia. Back through the line and up again to 5G.
Zilch slightly over standing with the westerly tide with Zelia, but with Challenger approaching between to be an hindrance at the mark. Zilch already knew that Challenger was set up to undertake bear away set, hopefully they could gybe set inside…
At the mark Challenger went wide in and narrow out to stop the gybe set of Zilch!!!
Zelia gained a small distance, as Zilch gybed finely behind Challenger. Sweet Pea already half way down the run….
Div two across the line Sweet Pea , Zilch and Zelia.
Thank you to Geoff and Paul for competing!!!
Next week, same again with roast beef sandwiches in the club…. Come on folks the rest of you are missing out!!!
Scam
