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A big thank you to all visitors who attended the above for their help and encouragement throughout the event, especially Bob Carter and George Stephen. Colin Farr, race officer, commented to me over the meal in the clubhouse on Saturday night that, during all his experience as race officer, he has never seen the winner of a class race sail to the last placed helm to provide sailing advice and tips. Thank you Bob.
The Pro-Am Race also proved a very useful way of improving my ability, thanks again Bob! - I was still last in all subsequent races, but at least the rest of the fleet didn't have to wait quite so long for me to finish!
And by the way, I have just found out that Idris Dibble was wrong about the weather - it's just started raining!
Hi Ian,
Thank you for your positive comments. It is to the benefit of our Class to ensure that our new members and novices enjoy sailing a Sprint 15 and quickly improve - otherwise they lose interest and drift away. It is for this reason we do the Pro-Am type race and provide as much help as we can. The fun sailing days at the Nationals also provide a similar opportunity to pick up tips in a informal way.
It was a good weekend. Our thanks go to Idris who did all the work to organise it (and to lay on the weather) and to Colin Farr, the rescue teams and all those involved from the Club.
Cheers
Bob
PS I don't know what Gordon Goldstone told Bill Tusting in the Pro-Am but Bill went from 6,6,6 before the Pro-Am to 3,2 after it. Perhaps that is why Idris called him Golden Goldstone in the prize giving. I think that name could stick!
Ian mentions me as being helpful. Had I not been awake so early on the Sunday, I wouldn't have had time to look over Idris's (my Am) boat on my own (Idris was far too busy showing off his newly acquired camper van, and providing hot drinks) and see that there was nothing there I would change, save tightening the tramp (and the tramp itself is overdue for replacement as the repairs are less than ideal). So I first spent a bit of time with Mike, whose pro hadn't then arrived, because there were some obvious changes he could start to make to help him go faster. Phil then arrived to do the job properly, and I went to help Idris - not a lot I could do.
On the water, in the Pro-Am race I could see that Idris was pinching too much on the beat (and told him so), and was not judging well where to set the traveller on the reaches (too far in on the first reach of the lap) which I could only tell him after the finish (the pros lost a lot of distance at the windward mark, leaving the Ams room to round). I think Idris should take the point about pinching seriously - he lost so much distance to Bill Tusting in the Pro Am race on the first beat.
Thereafter in the Traveller Races, my lack of boatspeed in lighter wind conditions resurfaced when sailing standard - so it's not just a Sport mode problem for me! It may have encouraged you when some of you finished ahead of me, but I think I may have to be an Am at some time to get advised on possible solutions that I haven't tried!
As to your (Ian's) sailing, the one thing I did notice (as you will recall me saying) was that you were not sitting far enough forward in the light conditions to raise the transoms higher and eliminate the drag - something you need to do because of your weight! And remember the first rule of racing is to be on the line at the gun - as you were in the Pro Am race!
I thought Mike should be pleased with his improved boat speed (for which Phil Howden must take credit), and I hope he and his missus enjoy their break in La Belle France.
I also thought that you (Ian) and Mike needed to concentrate on boat speed, etc, through the full length of the race - it's always possible that one or more of the boats ahead will do something silly - like hit a mark or capsize - and if you're still reasonably up you'll gain their places!
The event itself was good - especial thanks to RO Colin who turned the races round as quickly as they were well run - much appreciated! Those who preferred to stay away missed a good weekend's sailing and apres-sail - much better than watching England v Paraguay live in the Soccer World Cup!
George
PS This Golden Gordon business is getting me worried, particularly about my boatspeed in lighter conditions. Tonight I even had a Queen Mary Rear Commodore twitting me about Gordon beating me (again!). I think it's me that needs a new Sprint 15, not Gordon! Perhaps I should make him an offer for 1918....
I'll be putting all of the advice received into practice at the club regatta this weekend - and you'll certainly be seeing me at next years Nationals (I can't make it this year, unfortunately).
And next time you see me George, I'll be a bit lighter!
I must say that it's a great honour after such a long time, to have one's ability finally recognised.
All I had to do was go to another country!
And on the pro-am subject, I was teamed with Bill Tusting at Cardiff, and when sailing directly behind him upwind, I could see that he was sheeted in too tight and hooking the main over, despite him thinking he'd already let the mainsheet off plenty.
The natural tendency when racing is to haul every thing in tight, but in lighter conditions it works better with a delicate touch. Sometimes it's hard to accept how loose you can sail the boat and yet it still goes well.
Hi Golden,
You did a good job on Bill. So what did you think of the Grafham version of the Pro-Am? It is interesting how easily you can spot errors and provide help when sailing around with someone. It is much better than the looser arrangement we have at the Nationals. It also makes the fleet mix and talk more than they would, otherwise.
