East Coast Piers Race 2007– View from the Sprint 15s: Report by Jenny Ball (who took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th place in the Colne Point Race)
2007 had the added advantage of bringing an outstanding set of results for the Sprint 15 fleet! For those who are not familiar with the format – there are two Saturday races of “all-in” handicap racing from Tornado sports right down to me in the Sprint 15. The big race itself takes place on the Sunday and is split into two races. The full ECPR course is from Osea Pier to Walton Pier and back which is 50 miles. The Colne Point Race turns at the half way mark and therefore makes a challenging but sensible option for those of us in slower handicap cats. The net result is that the ECPR and Colne Point competitors usually end up finishing within a similar timeframe which makes for good racing and good spectating! Emphasis is on safety with “mother boats” (yachts) stationed every mile of the course “spotting” every competitor who passes as well as the usual support boat fleet. Personal safety equipment is mandatory. As a result, whilst it is a long distance race – it is suitable for everyone, not just very experienced sailors. On the Sprint 15 front – in addition to taking part in the Colne Point Race – there is also a trophy for the first Sprint 15 – a beautiful glass decanter – donated by Colin Kidner, former Marconi Commodore and Dart 15 sailor This year saw 5 Sprint 15 entries – myself, James Tovey, Kevin Dowley, Andy Chidwick and Keith Chidwick. I did note two other Sprint 15 “defectors” – Mr Dewhirst in his Hurricane and Mark Aldridge who was sailing his Shadow. We were among 24 entrants to the Colne Point Race. The race started in zero wind for the first three hours. Both the ECPR and Colne Point fleets drifted (in the right direction) on the tide with no wind at all. With due respect to the Tornados and Hurricanes – they had to watch whilst the Sprint 15s, Dart 16/18s all got past them during this period of time. Thankfully, the wind filled in at Bradwell, just before the first gate of the course. It was slightly bemusing for us on the small boats to watch most of the Tornados, Hurricanes, F18s, Spitfires and Shadows have to overtake us after 3 hours. The wind filled in as a light SE allowing a straight fetch from Bradwell to Colne Point, the turning mark – about an hour’s sail. The fleet started to spread out as the Catapult pulled ahead, the Shadows finally disappeared into the distance and the Sprint 15s, Dart 16 and 18s started to fleet race amongst themselves. The Dart 16 and I had a good close battle as did Kevin Kirby and James Tovey just behind us with Andy and Keith not far behind them – even after four hours of sailing. Following the turning mark – it was a straightforward broad reach back to Bradwell. As the wind had been so light – the usual lumpy seas over the Colne Bar were not there – so it was a pleasant sail back, allowing plenty of time to munch on a chocolate bar and enjoy watching the spectacle of the first “fast cat” – Tornado helmed by Adam Piggott sail past with full kite up – absolutely poetry in motion. Once back in the River Blackwater – the wind died away a little but eventually returned to allow a good finish. Despite having been sailing for 5 ½ hours – the Sprint 15s and Dart 16 / 18s all finished remarkably close to each other (see results below). The three hour “drift” at the start of the race gave us an undeniable advantage on handicap over the faster cats in our fleet and this was reflected in the final results, with the slower boats taking all top positions and Sprint 15s taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th place.
Jenny Ball
Pos'n Helm Crew Club Class Sail No. H'Cap Corrected Time (secs) |
