First rule of sailing – ignore the weather forecast!
Despite the backdrop of the initial forecast of thunderstorms predicted, 8 boats competed in the annual Tamar Bridge Race in aid of the RNLI and set sail in ideal conditions for an entertaining race full of drama and mishaps, with only 8 seconds separating the first to third boat after handicap!
The first rookie error spotted was that an Enterprise helmed by Neil Wylie crewed by Liz Palmer was adjudged to be over the start line at the sound of the hooter by the committee boat who duly and unknowingly awarded them a 20 second penalty.
Tacking downstream against the incoming tide, the helms adopted various tactics to keep the wind, dodge the moorings at Cargreen and maximise the width of the river to maximum effect.
The unlucky trio of Ralph Hayden-Davies, Isobelle Lindsell and Wilfred Larman, sailing a Laser 2 were putting in a great performance until a breakage to a boom fitting, requiring the support vessel to remedy, caused their early retirement.
Steve Kirby in a Lark Dinghy crewed by Rob Larman led the way down to the Tamar Bridges, hotly pursued by Steve Larratt sailing a Laser and Sophie Dandy and Chris Fillan in a Quest dinghy.
The two Enterprise dinghies were having their own battle and, in this instance, Neil Wylie was unusually getting the better of Will Higgs and his crew – but there was a contributing reason!
The decision to leave the turning point of the centre column of the Royal Albert Bridge to either port or starboard was at the discretion of the helms and both Enterprise dinghies having elected to gybe around the pillar came a cropper!
Firstly, a sudden gust caused Neil Wylie to luff up and become entangled with the infrastructure and then Will Higgs managed to capsize, much to the bemusement of his crew Scarlet and Axel. In Will’s own words “I cocked that gybe up”! Having righted the boat, they set a course for home but the boat did look a little low in the water…
The trip back was less eventful other than battling with spinnaker etc. Charles Stanniland in his first outing of the season in a Laser 16, definitely could have done with a pole but he maximised his long arms to great effect whilst John Giblin steered.
The wind became more patchy at this point so it allowed the boats at the back of the fleet to catch up with the front boats and the two retiring boats, one through assistance and the all-girl trio of Lucia, Jess and Matilda in a Laser 2 to turn around shy of the downwind mark to make sure that they returned in good time.
Having come ashore, it was then discovered that the Enterprise sailed by Will had a big split in the side causing the buoyancy tanks to fill with water.
Many thanks to Rosie and Doug Hinge for leaving the comfort of their home to record the times and Chris Coomber for Safety Boat duties. £55.00 was raised for the RNLI.
Results after corrected time:
1st Steve Kirby / Rob Larman Lark – 5801
2nd Steve Larratt Laser – 5806
3rd Neil Wylie/ Liz Palmer Enterprise – 5809
4th Charles Staniland / John Giblin Laser 16 – 5860
5th Sophie Dandy / Chris Fillan RS Quest – 5960
6th Will Higgs & Co Enterprise – 6186
2 x non finishers
Rob Kirby | Commodore
Weir Quay Sailing Club 