2005 Parhelion Autumn Series
This page contains the racing exploits on board our Elan 333, One More Knot, in our fourth race series. The Parhelion autumn yacht racing series is run by the Portsmouth Sailing Club, with races in the Eastern Solent, off Portsmouth and in Hayling bay.
The series has now concluded. One More Knot didn't managed to improve on our spring results, partly due to shorthanded and changing crew. However the race series was enjoyable, with the October racing managing to miss most of the rain. There were some fabulous days on the water. Congratulations to Just In Time and her crew with her series win. The GK's Genghis Khan and Scallywag fought a hard and close battle for their respective 2nd and 3rd positions. Rhapsody were forced to retire from the last race which may have cost here 3rd overall in the series.
Many thanks to the race organisers and their team. The crews very much appreciate the efforts.
The other skippers and crews obviously enjoyed their racing and there much to discuss in the club house prior to the presentations.
George (of Ghengis Khan) said
"Genghis Khan had a very good autumn Parhelion with 1st place overall until about half way through the series,
I then moved back to second place behind "Just in time"
Scallywag finished third overall and would have been in contention for second had they not missed a weekend.
Genghis and Just in time often had some spirited close quarter scraps for position on the start line that could have
easily ended up in the protest room.
Dave Feltham is now known by crew of Just in Time as the Gentleman who likes to give advice on the start line.
Where Genghis did struggle was in higher winds, the No 3 on Genghis is very old and stretched so a trip to the sail makers may be in order.
We hope that next year we can bring back a few more GK's to the fleet as we had 4 in the Spring
- some work for the owners club over the winter."
Another new sail .... uhh ohh ... George, you don't need it .... One More Knot sailed the whole series with just the main and #2!
Series Results
The final standings, courtesy of the Portsmouth Sailing Club, are:
| Rank | Fleet | Boat Name | Class | Sail No | Helm | TCF | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Race 4 | Race 5 | Race 6 | Race 7 | Race 8 | Race 9 | Race 10 | Nett | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2005 | 1st Oct 2005 | 8th Oct 2005 | 8th Oct 2005 | 15th Oct 2005 | 15th Oct 2005 | 29th Oct 2005 | 29th Oct 2005 | 5th Nov 2005 | 5th Nov 2005 | |||||||||
| Club Fleet - Sailed: 10 Discards: 2 Ratings: TCF | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Club | Just in Time | Omega 36 | 4230 | Tony Barnett | 0.960 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 | |||
| 2 | Club | Genghis Khan | GK 24 | 1152C | George Isted | 0.850 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 17.0 | |||
| 3 | Club | Scallywag | GK 24 | 215 | Andy Taylor | 0.845 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 20.0 | |||
| 4 | Club | Rhapsody | MG C27 | 3075T | Roy Pearce | 0.911 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | DNF | 21.0 | |||
| 5 | Club | One More Knot | Elan 333 | 7563T | Phil Duff | 0.970 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 33.0 | |||
Result courtesy of Portsmouth Sailing Club and Sailwave software.
Race Results
| Race | Date | Class Pos | No in Class | Handicap | OTW Time | OTW gap to 1st | Corrected gap to 1st | Crew |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parhelion race 10 | 5/11/05 | 4 | 5 | 0.970 | 0:58:23 | 0:02:59 | 0:03:27 | Phil, Barry, Darrell |
| Parhelion race 9 | 25/11/05 | 4 | 5 | 0.970 | 1:03:11 | -0:00:06 | 0:07:01 | Phil, Barry, Darrell |
| Parhelion race 8 | 29/10/05 | 4 | 5 | 0.970 | 0:44:30 | 0:02:10 | 0:02:41 | Phil, Jules, Barry, Darrell |
| Parhelion race 7 | 29/10/05 | 5 | 5 | 0.970 | 0:46:29 | 0:01:03 | 0:01:33 | Phil, Jules, Barry, Darrell |
| Parhelion race 6 | 15/10/05 | 4 | 4 | 0.970 | 1:04:36 | 0:01:18 | 0:01:54 | Phil, Jules, Fred, Pete |
| Parhelion race 5 | 15/10/05 | 3 | 5 | 0.970 | 1:24:36 | 0:01:40 | 0:02:27 | Phil, Jules, Fred, Pete |
| Parhelion race 2 | 1/10/05 | 5 | 5 | 0.970 | 1:00:32 | 0:12:39 | 0:16:00 | Phil, Paul, Nigel, Rachel |
| Parhelion race 1 | 1/10/05 | 4 | 4 | 0.970 | 0:32:15 | 0:00:49 | 0:03:22 | Phil, Paul, Nigel, Rachel |
Race Reports
Saturday 1st October, Races 1 and 2
Crew : Phil, Paul, Nigel, Rachel
A bit of a shorthanded start to the series. Lets hope its windy enough to justify keeping the spinnaker in the bag!
And on the day ... it certainly was. With 18 to 25 knots blowing across the course, our white sails downwind performance wasn't going to be too much of a penalty over boats brave enough to use their kites ... (Rhapsody ... we're talking about you!).
Race 1
Race 1 was a simple windward mark and Outer Distance Mark 2 lapper. With the wind firmly in the F5 region, gusting F6 we had set the boat up with full main and #2 genoa.
As usual, we were late on the line but only by 15 seconds this time. However, this put us in the dirty air from some of the smaller boats. With so much sail, our maneuverability wasn't great and the crew were struggling under the physical load. None the less, the boat handled it and we made our way to the windward mark. Sadly, our upwind performance in this configuration was nothing to write home about and we rounded the windward mark last. However, the sail area paid dividends on the downwind leg with One More Knot comfortably over taking the 2 GK24, Genghis Khan and Scallywag. Only Rhapsody remained out in front.
The second lap was pretty much a repeat of the first.
OMK finished 2nd on the water, but we fear (results not out yet) that we will be at the back of the fleet as the smaller boats handicap will rightly promote them.
Race 2
Race 2 was a slightly different course, windward mark to port, DERA No. 6 to port, outer distance mark to port and do 3 laps. After the first race, we put a reef in the main, but stayed with the full #2. The wind for this race was still 18 - 25 knots. This time, the start was much better, with OMK reaching past the committee boat in front of the fleet at a good pace. Just In Time was up to her usual antics of trying to bully her way in at the start .... but this time we think she she clipped the committee boats anchor warp!
OMK reached down the line waiting for the gun, but a gust hit us first! So instead of hardening up the main we had to ease it. Sods law .... then the gun. After a frantic battle to harden the sheets we eventually got going upwind. Scallywag and Genghis Khan were on or port side and slight to leeward, with Just In Time and Rhapsody on our starboard side. The fleet raced out on Starboard to make the best use of the tide. OMK's nose was just in front when she got to the port layline. The other boats hadn't yet tacked. Eventually we decided that we had to tack however we were immediately forced to give way to Rhapsody. Of course, this coincided with another gust and attempts at bearing away weren't happening, so we started practicing our pirouettes to stay clear, which cost us about 100 yards. We rounded the windward mark in third.
Downwind, Rhapsody (with kite) and Just In Time (without kite and goose winged) jousted amongst themselves. Mean while, our Elan 333, sailing goose winged, was finding an extra gear. It was obvious the we were faster. As we overtook we made sure that there was enough water to make it difficult for Just In Time to cover us without losing a lot of time. The longer downwind leg gave us time to press home our advantage and we rounded the leeward mark some way in front.
As we rounded to port, we hardened up and then set off upwind. This time the strategy was to keep it simple. We trimmed the sails and did the whole leg with just one tack. The ODM was left 'well' to port! This did mean that we overstood the mark a little as we had to judge the layline from a long way out. However judging by the rest of the the rest of the fleet, who elected to sail through the gate, our tactics put us way out in front by the windward mark.
The second lap was pretty much a repeat, but as we were now sailing on our own, life was so much simpler. The rest of the fleet was way behind throughout. We sailed a very direct course on the downwind leg, goose winged. We then repeated the single tack windward leg. The reef in the main made the boat more manageable and faster to windward. Once again, the boats behind tacked and went through the gate, more on this in a minute ....
We continued to the windward mark and were sailing back when the radio crackled into life, and we were informed that the race had been shortened. Everyone else had finished and were making their way home. As you can imagine, we were just a bit disappointed. We don't know how this one will work out yet. Will we be robbed? Will there be a positional redress? Will the race be void? We wait with baited breath. .... sadly, we were disappointed and our time stood, even though we had sailed about 2 and 2/3 laps to everyone else's 2 laps. The official time showed us last by about 15 minutes.
Saturday 15th October, Races 5 and 6
Crew : Phil, Jules, Fred, Pete
Over a quick breakfast in the Korner Kaff in Gosport, Phil ran over the basics with Fred and Pete. Fred has sailed occasionally in cruising mode. Pete confessed to having sailed dinghy's sometime ago in his youth but had never been on board a yacht. Jules was last onboard OMK for the Round the Island race. The plan was to keep it simple and once again to keep the beast in the bag. Jules was tasked with the mainsheet, while the geriatrics were to be exercised on the jib sheets.
It was a gloomy morning, which brightened as the day developed. On leaving the berth, something was not quite right. The prop didn't have any bite, but it was too late to do anything about it. The committee boat appeared to be so far to windward, off Hayling Island that we thought we were well on our way to Brighton.
The breeze was a F4 easterly, which increased to a F5 for the second race of the day.
Race 5
The course for this race was Winner to starboard (windward), gate, DERA No 6 to port (leeward), gate, 3 laps but subsequently shortened to 2 laps. A wind with tide situation meant that the downwind legs would be relatively short so our choice to leave the spinnaker in the bag probably wouldn't hurt too much. Phil elected to use the full main and #2 in the F4 breeze.
The start was pretty good, with OMK on the line near the committee boat at the gun, although it took a little while to get the sails sheeted properly, so we lost a little ground. We struggled to find the groove, only just out pacing one of the smaller GK24's. More significantly we were managing to just stay in front of Just In Time. However, when we tacked, Phil decided to be cautious and allow our new crew members some additional time in the tack. This meant giving away a bit of positional advantage by ducking underneath Just In Time, but it was close enough for them to holler 'starboard' on us! We then seemed to lose the plot for a bit and lost some ground on Just In Time. Laying windward mark was difficult with a lot of tide pushing the fleet down the course. OMK overstood the starboard layline and had to crack the sheets a bit on the way back in, before tacking back over the mark. Just In Time rounded first, followed by Rhapsody. Genghis Khan (GK24) managed to round just inside us. They must have sailed a blinder out on the right hand side of the course.
On the downwind leg, Just In Time, Rhapsody and Genghis Khan raised their kites, while OMK stayed with goosewinged white sails. We watched as Just In Time opened the gap, we paced Rhapsody and just about overhauled Genghis Khan. Just In Time was now a decent distance in front.
On the second lap One More Knot followed Just In Time and Rhapsody, with the larger boats opening a significant gap on the smaller GK24s on the upwind leg in the increasing wind.
Halfway down the downwind leg, Rhapsody had a major spinnaker wrap around the forestay which could not be fixed by the leeward mark. Sadly, with the increasing wind and tide they shot straight past the mark and elected to retire. It looked like they might end up in Cowes for lunch! We're not sure if they broke something ... let's hope not.
It then developed into a procession to the finish, albeit the usual race against the clock to save a few seconds for the handicap.
OMK was 2nd on water and 3rd in the fleet, ahead of Scallywag and Rhapsody (retired). Just In Time took line honours and claimed 1st place. Genghis Khan finished 1 minute 1 second behind Just In Time on handicap, with One More Knot a further 1 minute 26 seconds behind.
Race 6
The course was the same as the previous race, Winner to starboard, gate, DERA No 6 to port, gate with 2 laps to be completed. It looked like some of the boats changed down with the wind now blowing 18-20 knots. OMK stayed with the full main and #2.
This race was a joint start with the IRC boats. OMK got a cracking start, in the middle of the line but once again took a little time to harden up. OMK settled in with the IRC boats, following White Cloud and Electra quite closely for a while. Eventually White Cloud tacked off towards the windward mark. OMK delayed the tack for a minute before tacking to be sure of laying the mark. Sadly, we lost touch with the IRC boats and couldn't quite keep up.
One More Knot was the first club fleet yacht around the windward mark, although Just In Time were in hot pursuit.
Once again, Just In Time hoisted the kite and started to overhaul OMK. A downwind duel ensued. The tide was pushing the boats out past the committee boat end of the line, and OMK wasn't going to make it any easier for Just In Time to overtake! OMK was relegated to 2nd on the water before crossing through the gate on the downwind leg.
On the 2nd beat, OMK closed the gap on Just in Time, but her lead was still comfortable enough for them to elect to play safe and keep the beast in the bag on the downwind leg. Once again it was a procession to the line, although the skipper cracking the whip to save a few precious seconds in the battle against the clock.
The GK24's duelled all the way round the course and finished in what looked like a very close finish, with Scallywag pipping Genghis Khan by about 1 minute.
OMK finished 2nd on the water, but the handicap unwound to leave OMK bringing up the back of the fleet, although only 1 minute 54 seconds behind the winners, Just In Time.
Epilogue
After a brisk sail back into Portsmouth harbour, OMK appeared to have a "bit of a problem" with the engine and prop. There was major over dieseling (loads of smoke) and a lack of revs. Something was awry.
Phil wasn't sure what was wrong, so the plan was to go to the club house for a pint or two to contemplate the situation. The opinion in the clubhouse was that there might be loads of barnacles on the prop.
On return from the clubhouse, Phil donned the wetsuit and went for a dip (not too cold). It turned out that the prop was fouled with reinforced bag. We had probably been towing it around all day! If only ......
Saturday 22nd October, Informal race
Crew : Phil, Darrell, Barry
For technical reasons, this weeks official racing was cancelled. However, One More Knot, Genghis Khan and Scallywag organised their own informal race. The course was set from McMurdo, up to North Sturbridge and then across to Prince Albert, with a view to completing 2 laps.
Genghis Khan called the start and sacrificed their starting position to do so. Meanwhile, Scallywag and One More Knot fought for the same bit of water on the line. The course required crossing the main channel against both the tide and wind. One More Knot tacked onto port early and ran for cover near the Haslar wall. Scallywag took a more direct route, but straight into the tide. At the first mark, OMK was in front (on the water) but with Genghis Khan uncomfortably close behind. Scallywag was hit hard by the tide. The tide was running strongly at the mark, and all the boats need to pass considerably inshore of the mark in order to tack and gain sufficient momentum to avoid being washed back on the buoy.
What appeared to be a rare reaching opportunity across to Prince Albert was slightly spoilt by the recognition of how high we had to point in order to avoid being swept below the mark. Once at the mark, One More Knot again rounded first and elected to stay under white sails for the run. In order to speed the progress, we followed the edge of the deep water channel for half of the course before gybing back into the leeward mark across the shallow water. Genghis Khan and Scallywag both elected to use their spinnakers and sail a more direct route.
The second lap was continued in a processional manner, although a few minor lessons had been learnt from the first lap. The tide was starting to ease a bit. By the time Genghis Khan was at North Sturbridge for the second time, One More Knots lead was about 7mins 30 second (ie. after 4 legs). In the following 2 legs, OMK extended the lead to over 12 mins, primarily by hoisting the kite for the first time this autumn and sailing a more direct route.
However, as the crew of One more Knot know only too well, being in front on the water doesn't mean we will be when the handicap is worked out. The crews of all boats retired to the Castle Inn in Gosport to discuss the days events and calculate the result. Sadly for OMK, we were 3rd, pipped by Scallywag for 2nd but way out in front were Geghis Khan. George and the crew seem to be sailing well this autumn.
For the record, the results were:
| Rank | Boat | TCF | Start | Finish | Elapsed | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genghis Khan | 0.845 | 10:25:00 | 12:45:36 | 2:20:36 | 1:58:48 |
| 2 | Scallywag | 0.840 | 10:25:00 | 12:52:08 | 2:27:08 | 2:03:36 |
| 3 | One More Knot | 0.970 | 10:25:00 | 12:33:12 | 2:08:12 | 2:04:21 |
Saturday 29th October, Races 7 and 8
Crew : Phil, Darrell, Barry, Jules
This morning we awoke to a F4/5 SE. After a quick boat prep and visit to the local eatery for brekky, we were out on the water quite early. This allowed us to have a bit of time to attempt to tune the sails and get the hang of things. In the end we elected to go for the full #2 together with the 1st reef in the main. Our instruments were showing typically 17-19 knots of true wind. We found Condor under the Haslar wall near the Vail Williams bouy. The course for both of the races was set with a beat / fetch out to McMurdo (to starboard), then a run down to Hardway Marina (to port), another beat / fetch to Gleeds (to port) and finally a run back to the finish. The course was a welcome change from the usual sausage, but showed that there are more new skills to be learnt on tackling this kind of course.
Race 7
With a strong tide pushing the boats west, One More Knot elected to start from the port end of the line in order to position ourselves further up tide. The remainder of the fleet elected to start conventionally, charging in from the committee boat end.
One More Knot hit the line on port at the gun and elected to tack immediately onto starboard. Sadly, we learnt our first lesson of the day as we stalled, but soon recovered in the clear air. As the fleet charged off towards McMurdo, One More Knot appeared to be marginally in front of Just In Time and Rhapsody who were down tide some way. Scallywag and Genghis Khan we marginally behind. Then some sport, the Isle of Wight ferry appeared just after the start. With the race track straight across the ferries path, the ferry slammed the brakes on ... engines astern, but no hoots. Most of the fleet passed in front of the ferry. One More Knot was sufficiently separated from the fleet to comfortably pass behind the now stationary ferry. Genghis Khan double tacked and was the only other boat to pass behind. The rest of the fleet exercised their sail over power rights with some style!
OMK crossed the main shipping channel into Portsmouth in order to tack (onto port) onto the layline. It transpired that we had over estimated the tide in this area and hence sailed too far. As we arrived at the mark, Just In Time managed to approach on starboard and tack just off our leeward bow. The first 2 boats rounded, with Rhapsody not far behind.
We expected the next leg down to Hardway Marina to be a run, but it was a broad reach. OMK stayed under white sails, as did Just In Time. Rhapsody hoisted the kite .... it looked like fun as the pole was quite far forward and she looked well powered up. Meanwhile, the leading two boats were having a close fought duel. OMK was behind Just In Time, but as Just In Time sailed a higher course in order to defend her position, One More Knot crossed her stern, just 1 metre behind.
When the boats got to the mark, both hardened up on port. Seeing the Just In Time was persevering on their course, One More Knot elected to tack immediately onto starboard to start the long fetch back to Gleeds. This put One More Knot in front with Just In Time chasing hard. It was a game of cat and mouse, with the gap opening and closing all the way along the leg. One More Knot rounded Gleeds first, with about 1 and a half boat lengths lead.
The next leg was a run to the finish. Although the finish was quite close to the Haslar wall, and anyone arriving with the kite up would need to avoid problems aloft in order to avoid being washed up the beach! One More Knot sailed most of the leg goosewinged. Just In Time who were obviously quite keen to take line honours hoisted the kite for the first time. One More Knot aimed well to the east of the line in order to allow for the tide. Eventually gybing for a broad reach over the last few hundred metres. Meanwhile, Just In Time appear to sail the classic point the boat at the committee boat line, which meant that they sailed a big bannana shaped leg as the tide almost washed them outside the committee boat.
Just In Time took the line honours, and then proceeded to sail quite close to the wall as the spinnaker got a wash! One More Knot wimped out of the spinnaker, but we weren't too far behind. Rhapsody followed, with the GK's some way back, which wasn't surprising in the choppy conditions, probably due in part to the waves bouncing back off the wall.
The results placed the 1st 4 boats in class within 28 seconds of each other on corrected time. Very close racing. Sadly, One More Knot wasn't one of them! One More Knot was 5th.
Race 8
Once again, One More Knot elected to start at the port end of the line, but this time already on the starboard tack. With seconds to go, the crew were winding the speed up, but at the same time we worried about going over. The last bit of trimming was left until the gun went. The timing for this start was pretty much spot on. We're getting much better!
The first leg was a similar story to the first race, although no ferry featured. Darrell took over the helm from Phil to allow Phil to go forward to check a rigging detail. Darrell helmed the rest of the race. After the first leg, OMK made a much better effort at hitting the layline. Just In Time, One More Knot and Rhapsody all rounded together with a 3 boat overlap.
The race down towards Hardway Marina saw Just In Time leading one more knot, with Rhapsody a small distance behind. The boats rounded the mark in the same order. The leg seems to be a blur, and I can't remember who flew what. Just In Time had their full main on this leg, but put a reef in after rounding for the next leg.
At the rounding, once again OMK tacked first to put some clear water between them and Just In Time. The beat/fetch to Gleeds saw that neither boat could do it in one, with both boats needing to tack. Just In Time had a decent lead by the time Gleeds was rounded.
The final leg was a repeat of the previous race, with Just In Time taking line honours again, followed by One More Knot.
This race, the results were not quite as close as in the previous race, with just over 4 minutes separating the corrected times. This time, One More Knot placed 4th in class.
Saturday 5th November, Races 9 and 10
Crew : Phil, Darrell, Barr
The concluding races of the series this weekend. With F8 in the forecast, Phil phoned Gareth on Friday to see whether there would be any prospect of an early cancellation. Fortunately not, so the crew drove up from Cornwall again, with Phil travelling down from Milton Keynes. The breeze in Gosport on Friday night was struggling to make a F2. Alarms were duly set and everyone got down to a good nights kip. At 7:15, the alarm went off and the getting up procedure ensued, followed by preping the boat before a breakfast run. There then followed a discussion along the lines of "its a bit early" and then the realisation that the alarm had gone off at 6:15 (not 7:15) due to the clock not being adjusted from the clock going back the previous weekend. It was then that we realised that it was a bit dark! Duh .... The other point to note .... not a breath of breeze, just glassy water in the marina.
The start was between the committee boat and Gleeds. The course for the club class fleet was North Sturbridge (to port), Mary Rose (to port), McMurdo (to port), ODM (Gleeds, to port), McMurdo (to port) and then across the line for the finish. This course was used for both races.
Race 9
With 10 minutes before the warning signal, a few boats were drifting around with not even enough breeze to make headway against the tide. OMK's instruments showed a NW heading and SE COG! A neat trick sailing backwards ...
However, the race committee duly danced for the wind gods and just before the start of the IRC1 fleet, and F3 filled in across the course. This built to a good F4/5 during the race. OMK had the full main and #2.
At the start, One More Knot was at the head of the fleet, reaching down the the line at the gun, but lost some time hardening up. With the fleet all starting on a starboard tack, but with the prospect of beating into the last of the tide in the main channel, most of the fleet tacked onto port to stay in the shallow water for as long as possible. Just In Time were the last to tack, yet at the windward mark, One More Knot followed her around the mark. Running before the breeze felt very calm, with only about 8 knots apparent over the deck. Just In Time hoisted the kite. Phil contemplated the kite, but with only 3 on board decided to leave it in the bag. Rhapsody were chasing, with their kite. There was no doubt that OMK was loosing out, but surprising not by a lot.
At the Mary Rose buoy, the course hardened up. This brought the apparent wind around and made it more interesting for those with the spinnakers. It quickly became obvious that Just In Time had a problem getting theirs down. Rhapsody were on song and closing the gap
At McMurdo, One More Knot followed Just In Time around the mark, however Just In Time still had the spinnaker dangling from the mast which severely limited their capability to get upwind.
One More Knot led Rhapsody at Gleeds, but with another downwind leg to McMurdo, Rhapsody were once again able to close the gap under spinnaker power. By now, the leading GK24, Scallywag, was level with Just In Time on the water.
One More Knot was still in front at McMurdo for the last time followed by Rhapsody .... chasing hard. With only a short beat to the finish, One More Knot was keen to get line honours for the first time this series. The beat required a single tack (if judged correctly). Rhapsody were about 20 seconds behind but sailing nicely. Phil, on the helm called for the tack, but as the sheet let fly it tied itself in a nice not before the turning block. This left the genoa looking like a bag .... not good for either pointing or speed. A bit of nifty winch work by Darrell removed the knot, so that Barry could grind like fury to get the boat moving again. Meanwhile all Phil could do was scream to do it quicker ..... this one wasn't going to be allowed escape.
As the speed recovered, Rhapsody continued closing the gap. This was a real race to the line .... and it could go either way.
Fortunately, One More Knot took line honours for the first time this series, but by only 6 seconds after over an hour on the water. Phew ....
After the handicap was unwound, One More Knot placed 4th. Scallywag took the race honours by over a minute.
Race 10
The second race used the same course as the first. However conditions were now a bit different. The tide had turned and was running NW, helping the fleet upwind, especially in the main channel. The wind was now a good F5/6. One More Knot put a reef in the main but stayed with the #2 genoa. Possibly, it was an opportunity missed to try out the #3 in these conditions.
The start of this race was more interesting with all classes starting together. The club fleet is used to a less rules driven start. However, with all fleets starting together, Phil expected that the start line rules may be used more aggressively. The club fleet often starts with a reach behind the committee boat, but this is vulnerable to a boat beating up to the start forcing the upwind boat(s) to tack out since there are no rights to water at the start, rule 18.1(a).
One More Knot was aware that both IRC 1 boats, White Cloud and Renaissance were lurking below the rest of the fleet. Phil called for more speed on the approach to the committee boat in order to cross in front of both the IRC1 boats. White Cloud hardened up and passed astern of OMK and very close to the committee boat. Rhapsody, aware of her lack of rights was obliged to tack away. Meanwhile White Cloud and another IRC boat (not sure which) managed to sail aggressively for the line ... and over it before the start.
Once again One More Knot was on the start line at the gun! A huge improvement over previous series. It still took a few seconds to get going upwind properly, but that gives us something else to work on.
The race started and with the tide in the main channel now just starting to work in favour of the fleet on the upwind leg, One More Knot and most of the IRC boats elected to sail into the main channel. A number of the other boats followed the early tack approach of the the 1st race.
Meanwhile, a dirty great freighter was sneaking through the forts and was about to cross the course. The early crossers had no problem, indeed they were eying up the rest of the fleet thinking that they've had it now! Yet again, we were surprised by the bravery (some call it something else) of the rest of the fleet as they sneaked in front of 30,000 tons at 20 knots.
The end result was that a lot of the boats arrived at the windward mark within a few seconds of each other. One More Knot and Just In Time were fighting for the same bit of water .... OMK, on port, stood a chance of sneaking in front until a gust forced us to dump the main traveler. Plan B was to ease off but the gust was too strong to bear away so an emergency tack was called for to stay clear. Off onto a new heading, but not one we really wanted as it both would have sailed us past the wrong side of the mark and also into the line of an approaching ferry! So we tacked again, but this time into the path of Rhapsody ..... so the comedy continued. Eventually we made it around the buoy behind Just In Time and Rhapsody.
Up went Rhapsody's kite. Just In Time elected to stay under white sails (after their first race problems), as did One More Knot. At Mary Rose, Rhapsody attempt to drop the spinnaker, however her spinnaker halyard had frayed in the mast and jammed with the kite only 8 feet from the sheave. Even with 4 big blokes swinging on it, it wouldn't budge. Somehow they got back into the marina with the kite dangling from the mast. One of the crew was subsequently hoisted to resolve the issue. This occurred in good time to make it to the bar. Sadly in meant that Rhapsody had to retire from the last race of the series.
Meanwhile, Just In Time managed to open a substantial lead on One More Knot, crossing the line almost 3 minutes ahead to win the race.