The 2010 Classics season kicked off with what is becoming something of a traditional curtain raiser at Whitefriars SC, set on a flooded gravel pit that forms part of the Cotswold Water Park.
The seemingly unending winter had taken its toll of some of our more regular supporters, set against his, the event was to be the opening round of the exciting new Waveloft sponsored Classic Finn series.
I intended to sail the event in the Smokers Satisfaction Merlin Rocket 3025, 'Smokey Bear' and thought that I had posted my keeness by being the first to arrive. As I drove along the access road Rupert was just opening the gate but there, asleep in his car, was supercrew jon711.
Soon, more boats arrived and the usual buzz of expectation built....as more Merlins, a tunnel scow moth... then the Finns (having stopped en route for 3 breakfasts each) all rocked up. Conditions were pretty much as expected for Whitefriars, super shifty (well, so it seemed to me but I'm told that this was a good day at the location). The report on the racing will be featured below, suffice to say that Team Smokey Bear spent all but half the first race on shore .
The enforced time on the beach gave me a chance to grab a few pictures, the best of which are shown here.
Nick Price and crew in Diabolo. The boat looked stunning and even managed to carry it's kite on the tighter reach along the back side of the lake.
Meanwhile, hardy CVRDA regulars Pat and Sandy were once again sailing the Proctor IXd 'Half Cut'
THAT START!!!
Although far from the Sorbonne, the left bank at Whitefriars seems to pay and with a heavily biased line the temptation was to start at the left end on port. I looked at it in Start 1 and thought better of the idea. A port end start can be a huge boost but is best left to the times when there is a committee boat start line. Then, if you get it wrong, you have the ultimate sanction of flipping back over to starboard and getting out of trouble. At Whitefriars, for a port hand starter, a quick tack wouldl have put them in the lap of Brooksey and Supercrew, stood on the shore drinking tea.
Hats off then to Roger, sailing in the Albacore that had been beautifully restored by Chris Barlow. Roger went for the daring port hand start and came within a boat length of pulling it off BUT as in so many things, a 'miss is as good as a mile'.
Despite the bias on the line, the geography at Whitefriars keeps most sailors close to the left bank. Rupert, the red sail of his tonic being a warning sign to all, charges down the start line. Looking at the way that the luff of the main on the Albacore is lifting, Roger, who said afterwards that he "thought he'd cross the fleet ok" is just starting to have doubts.
With the main pinned in, Roger attempts that fateful move, the panic tack, with the inevitable consequence. On Ok 1963, (the year sex was invented according to Phillip Larkin) the helm is being bent to try to force the boat to bear away but the resounding clash of alloy on alloy is about to sound across the water.
The Albacore is now past the point of now return as water is flooding in over the side tanks at the stern. The OK is escaping with just a clash of masts but is now having to take avoiding action else he'd be trampled underfoot but the Finns. Trouble maker Rupert meanwhile has tacked back onto port and is clear away - a brilliant start.
They think it's all over - it is now! As the Albacore settles by the stern Roger shows the capability he has to exert 'grip' with his knees. I must admit this is an interesting pose to take when you know that there is a camera just yards away. Well done though to Team Albacore not only for the entertainment but for then getting sorted out and chasing down the fleet to finish respectably on the water - if not on Handicap.