Well finally spring has arrived and we can start the Midweek Series… [delete/insert appropriate words, to make sense of this year].

Several RSC boats were joined by Renato and Henry from SBSC, and a big welcome was given by Brian from the RSC.

Clearly Brian’s accent has got a bit stronger in the lockdown as Port was interpreted to mean Starboard for the rounding of the Marks… please note, if the next leg is against the tide, then normally we will round in towards a bank.

The course was set with a windward buoy off the FFC and one off Chas Newans, both on the south bank, with a beat westwards to start. Confusion reigned as half the fleet understood Port rounding the others didn’t.  A booming ‘Port Rounding’ was heard by all, and the racing got going again. Matt, who had decided to round to starboard and got caught up in the ensuing mess ending up last, decided to take the wrong option and crossed the river to the north Bishops Park bank. Sorry did I say wrong, it brought him out and those that followed, being Henry and Maury to start with, hundreds of meters ahead at the next mark.

Dennis, according to his version, was sailing downwind, got caught in a huge gust and turned over. Maybe a bit more kicker and main sheet…!! Just saying!!!

The guard boat for once dropped its mooring and watched just in case he got swept to the FFC but having righted the boat he headed home half a lap down.

James who hadn’t noticed Dennis being upside down, thought he had crossed the line and finished, so followed him in… really! A 25min race in glorious sunshine and decent wind….really…. the rest carried on.

Renato, having forgotten, or wasn’t told, of the RSC re-rounding rule, clipped the windward buoy with his mainsheet and decided to retire with grace. A note to everyone, touching the Mark, which is part of the course and leg you are on, is with any part of the boat, crew or helm.  The advantage of rolling round a Mark is so great that for many years the 360 penalty has been replaced with a re-rounding rule.

Maury, Jack and Henry competed closely for the 3 laps being chased by Adil and Adam in 3106 and Richard, but to no avail. Jack just pipping Maury, by a nose on the line, with Henry only seconds behind, and then Richard who had fallen in hole on the last lap.

Note to Brian-

• Remind everyone to re-round
• Post a Red or Green card beside the direction arrow to signal Mark Rounding (or a split one for both) .. update SIs
• We will get new marks (red and green) so that the boats can see when they get to the buoy how to round it. (red=port… green=starboard) … update SIs.
• As the starts get competitive, have a recall flag in safety boat for OCS
• Repaint the orange start line

Hope everyone enjoyed the evening.

Cheers

Brian Chief of the Safety Boat and Carnage creator