Race Report
9 boats came to the start line at Radio Caroline and Sue Carroll (1st time Race Officer) got the fleet underway, downwind to Thirslet. Pinocchio (Colne Yacht Club) led the charge turning onto a very shy kite leg to Stone mark No9. Blue Moon (Marconi SC, late to the start) selected their headsail after a drop at Thirslet and rapidly overhauled Skylark and McGregor 3 (both MSC) who left it too late to change down in the shifting winds and then struggled to round the mark.
Charlie Don’t Surf (CYC) gradually took the lead as the light winds got even lighter as the fleet rounded further Stone marks on their way to the Marconi buoy. Stone No3 (a virtual mark it seems) missing from the river caused some confusion as Charlie searched for its location, while others used the marks coordinates as a rounding. Charlie back tracked to put themselves over the same ground as Pinocchio and the fleet behind followed a similar course. From the Marconi Buoy, kite packers had much more time as the fleet worked their way through the light NE’rly back across the line to complete the ‘Sprint’ leg of the course.
The three Dehler 34’s, Shearjoy (Dabchicks), Flyer & Radiance (CYC), were now doing close battle while Charlie tried to work their way back into handicap order on the long legs to WMYC No1 & No10. At the back of the fleet, Monkey Business (MSC, also a late starter) had sailed high up Goldhanger creek in search of Stone No3 and the failing breeze back at Marconi caused Monkey and Skylark to retire as the tide ebbed against them.
The course was shortened by the race officer twice, missing Wallet Spitway and then C8, but the breeze held, encouraged by the black clouds and a weak sea breeze, sufficient to cause some spinnaker control problems on McGregor and Charlie as they spinnaker reached down to Inner Bench head. Most controlled kites much better, with one applying a not too often seen technique of attaching the clew to the halyard and hoisting. A happy snapper afloat captured the moment, which by now should have done the social media rounds, but we can’t possibly reveal the crew involved here!
Meanwhile, Blue Moon was working their way ever closer to the boats ahead and it was looking difficult to call the winner from the view on the water. With over an hour between the first and last finisher and after 8 hours of very challenging sailing in light wind conditions, the result was eagerly awaited as the competitors cremated their food of choice on the BBQ back at Marconi SC.
The full results can be found here.
Marconi Long Distance Inshore Race 2017 Champions are:
Shearjoy – (Simon Farren) – Dabchicks SC
IRC Results: Sprint & Distance
1st Pinocchio (Bruce & Jane Long) – Colne YC
2nd Blue Moon (Richard Robarts) – Marconi SC
3rd Charlie Don’t Surf (Adrian Gibbons) – Colne YC
1st Shearjoy (Simon Farren) – Dabchicks SC
2nd Pinocchio (Bruce & Jane Long) – Colne YC
3rd Radiance (Robin & Theresa Cole) – Colne YC
1st Shearjoy (Simon Farren) – Dabchicks SC
2nd Radiance (Robin & Theresa Cole) – Colne YC
3rd Blue Moon (Richard Robarts) – Marconi SC
Update: 31st Aug 1700hrs. If you are racing there are 3 things on this page that you must print.
This event will go ahead as planned with the following entrants.
Colne YC: Pinocchio – Flyer – Charlie Don’t Surf – Shearjoy
Marconi SC: Monkey Business – McGregor 3 – Blue Moon – Spirit of Skylark
Sailing Instructions:
The full sailing Instructions, and course to sail can be downloaded here.
Print 1: Please print out the full Si’s as they contain the course to sail which may not be read on VHF so take a copy onboard.
Print 2: You can find the location of the upriver marks here. (with coordinates for your GPS)
Print 3: You can find the location of the estuary and WMYC marks here.
Marconi Sailing Club are looking forward to welcoming cruisers from other local clubs on the Estuary to participate in the long distance inshore event on 2nd September.
Key event information
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9am start sat 2nd Sept.
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Start line at Ross Revenge (radio Caroline)
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Course: Around cans up to Marconi buoy, back through line, round marks no further out than Wallet no3.
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Finish at Marconis.
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Planned sailing time 8hrs.
- Classes for ‘Fully Loaded’ cruising types as well as frequent racers.
- Sprint result (Start – Marconi Buoy – Thro Line) and Distance result (Full course)
- Predicted log competition.
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Moorings, BBQ & Bar at Marconi’s Saturday evening.
- Bring your own BBQ food – coals will be provided.
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Trot boat Saturday evng & Sunday Morning.
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Breakfast available in the galley Sunday am.
- Register by contacting laura@brambles-weddings.co.uk or Peter Ward. With boat name, design, length, IRC or LH number if known, racer or ‘Fully Loaded’ class. Will a mooring be required? No’s for Breakfast and any Veggies?
- Mooring & Race Fee: Nil. A contribution box will be available at the bar.
COURSE
The full course will include a sprint leg, with short distances between upriver marks, which will then continue on through the line out into the estuary for a longer distance passage.
Upriver marks used will include navigation buoys and Stone SC race marks (double height yellow barrels). The longer passage element of the course will use WMYC race marks (Yellow cans with black flags), and navigation buoys.
You can find the location of the upriver marks here. (with coordinates for your GPS)
You can find the location of the estuary and WMYC here.
The course to sail (and therefore the basis for your predicted log) will be made available on this web page 2 days before the start of the event.
Notice of event
Further Information
For more information please contact Laura Ivermee 0773 4795374 – or Peter Ward 0784 1014366