Despite a heavy downpour during pre-race rigging, nineteen boats took to the water for Rollesby’s 2020 Autumn regatta.
In the multisail fleet, only the Wayfarers had listened to the sailing instructions, starting on time but enjoying a close race with Bob Sparrow & Steve Gibbons taking a narrow but important win from Auriel Gibson and Lindsey Nettleton. In race 2 Howard Astley-Jones was hot of the line in his Vareo and did a horizon job on the Wayfarers. Sparrow took second and the class cup!
In the much larger single-sailed fleet the racing was much more mixed; indeed the overall winner counted two thirds it was that mixed up! In race 1 Richard Brown and Chris Foster in Lasers led from Ian Ayres’ Solo early on. Daren Pike took his Phantom past them all but could not establish a large enough lead and it was Roger Wilson in his Solo who recovered from a slow start to take the win from Ayres with Ellie Edwards sitting comfortably well in mid pack in her Splash.
In race 2 the slower boats all wanted to get onto port tack as soon as possible, but only Wilson cleared the faster craft, who chose to start on starboard and he established a good lead early on. The breeze was somewhat erratic, but enough to capsize several of the leading bunch, including Wilson. The Lasers of Dan Bull and Matt Boreham (despite some penalty turns) were able to take advantage of this and pull out good distance as the rest recovered. There was a good ladies race going on in the bunch with Edwards beating Tamsin Highfield (Streaker) by just 4 seconds to give her the overall win over Wilson and Bull.
The Autumn (Oct / Nov) series begins next weekend with separate starts. If we manage to get catering back up and running as as is planned we may even get some afternoon racing in!
Multisails (4 Entries)
1. Bob Sparrow & Steve Gibbons (Wayfarer) – 3 pts 2. Howard Astley-Jones (Vareo) – 4 3. Auriel Gibson & Lindsey Nettleton – 5
Single Handers (15 Entries)
1. Ellie Edwards (Splash)– 6 pts 2. Roger Wilson (Solo) – 7 pts 3. Dan Bull (Laser) – 8 4. Ian Ayres (Solo) – 10 5. Matt Boreham (Laser) – 12 6. Tamsin Highfiled (Streaker) – 12 7. Richard Brown (Laser) – 14 8. Chris Foster (Laser) – 14 9. Jack Ibbotson (Finn) – 19 10. John Saddington (Solo) – 20 11. Richard Foster (Laser) – 25 12. Tom Quale (RS300) – 27
With the lockdown restrictions still in place, today saw the commencement of the second e-series. This follows the conclusion of the clubs initial series last week in which Phil was crowned overall winner and hence having the responsibility of representing the club in the e-sailing regional championship.
With the ‘newbies’ to the game now getting to grips with their craft the racing is proving to be closer with just about everyone heading the fleet at some point. And with the exception of one race everyone finished with 46 seconds of each other, another indication of how everyone was improving.
It proved to be a slow start for our newly crowned champion as it took a couple of races to get back to his winning ways !
In race one Tamsin, Dan & Keith led the fleet by some distance with Phil having to go back after a premature start. On the final downwind leg Tamsin appeared to have the race until the technical gremlins ejected her from the game leaving Dan to take the win. The has led to a new race classification of GBO !
Dan took an early lead in race two which he held throughout the race with Keith, Phil and Dave fighting over the next three places. On the line Keith crossed just ahead of Phil then Dave. Just behind Antony and Ian enjoyed a close tussle throughout the race with Antony crossing the line 1.5 seconds ahead. Tamsin again ‘disappeared’ from the water, perhaps she needs to speak to technical support !
The fleet were closely bunched up the first windward leg in race three. Dan was choosing the upwind routes well and edged round the windward mark first followed by Dave. By the final downward leg Dan had opened up a good lead over Dave who was just ahead of Keith and Phil who were covering each other, Phil eventually crossing the line half a second ahead of Keith.
Phil finally got back to his winning ways in race four after leading Dave and Dan round the course with Dan edging Dave out of second place by 0.1 seconds and Keith and Ian just behind.
In the final ‘official’ race of the day Phil again lead the fleet closely followed by Dan. Only a few seconds separated Dave and Keith on the final downwind leg with Dave just managing to hold on against a charging Keith.
So Dan takes an early lead in the series but Phil is close behind. With the racing thus far taken place in 49er’s the general consensus was to try another craft for next week. This lead to the decision to try all them so for the following weeks we will be sailing, Stars, Formula 18, F50, J70, Offshore Yachts and finally the Nacra 17. So in order to prepare for this Keith kindly set up a few practise races in Stars, F18 and F50.
The fourth instalment of the Rollesby Broad e-Spring series was held on the 12th April in Cagliari (Italy) with a few missing from previous weeks. Phil was leading the series but Daniel had been challenging him lately. The fleet opted to stay in the now familiar 49er.
The first 2 races saw Daniel then Phil take the wins with the other 2nd, Races 3 and 4 and Daniel got out in front but Dave then Tamsin pushing Phil back into 3rd.
Race 5 and positions back to normal with Daniel taking the win from Phil. So with 1 week to go in the series it really couldn’t be closer as both are tied on 15 points
As we have entered the RYA ESailing championship and we need to have a club champion by 3rd May thats on Sunday. It looks like it will be Daniel or Phil on current form but you never know. The format is a 5 race series using the now familiar “49er” – We will have the 5 race series on the 3rd May and also include the results in the current series. (Its 2 discards in 5 to cater for technical issues).. Keith ERO
If you haven’t tried it yet it is relatively straightforward. It is easy and free to arrange an account, there is a ‘Training School’ to take you through the basics and a practice option to allow you to sail each of the craft. If required we could hold another practice session next Saturday if anyone would like to try before joining the racing on Sunday. If interested ping a message on the RBSC Sailors Chat WhatsApp group.
All these tips also apply to the real thing – And a good explanation!!
The second instalment of the Rollesby Broad e-Spring series was held on the 12th April in sunny Keil (Germany) with a few new helms joining the racing. Club members opted to stay with the 49er’s for the second set of five races. It did appear that the short journey had caused a a few glitches with the boats. (That’s my excuse- Keith)
Some Bimbling complete and Anna sticking to safety rulesLeading ladies
The ladies got off to a good start in the first race with Tamsin Highfield and Anna Zmura leading at the windward mark. Phil however managed to slip through on the final lap to just take the win, an annoying habit he’s very good at!
Tamsin managed to reverse this in the second race by just beating Phil in what was the closest finish of the day with two seconds between second and fourth place.
After a DSQ and a DNC Dan Harvey finally got back on track in race three, beating Phil by two seconds after a race long tussle.
In race four Dave Houghton had a rare moment leading the fleet for just about the whole race only to see Phil cross the line one second ahead.
Phil nicks Dave’s win!
It was a family one two in race five with Phil taking another win and Tamsin just beating Antony Barnes who took his second podium position of the day.
Overall Phil Highfield continued his good form finishing in the top two in every race and now has a clear series lead.
This week’s sailing proved to be more competitive and despite the larger fleet the time difference between first and last positions was smaller than last weeks.
If you haven’t tried it yet it is relatively straightforward. It is easy and free to arrange an account, there is a ‘Training School’ to take you through the basics and a practice option to allow you to sail each of the craft. If required we could hold another practice session next Saturday if anyone would like to try before joining the racing on Sunday. If interested ping a message on the RBSC Sailors Chat WhatsApp group.
All these tips also apply to the real thing – And a good explanation!!
Spring e-series overall (top five) 1st 49er 836 P Highfield (8pts), 2nd 49er 666 D Harvey (19pts), 3rd 49er 748 K Sykes (20 pts), 4th 49er AntB A Barnes (29 pts), 5th 49er Tazhi T Highfield) (34 pts)
Now this really is a First, 2 reports for 1 event!!!!!
Training started on Saturday – with 7 crews getting to grips with the 49er (or how to Login) which concluded with 3 quick races, Young master Highfield (Phil) taking the honours in all 3 and by a considerable margin of around 20secs after just 6 mins of racing. So we all had a clue how next the days racing would go.
Phil – Showing us how it’s done – Race Training.
Sunday.
The fleet gathered at the slight earlier time of 10am. (A Stunning day for sailing but we wont go there!) With the Fleet traveling to Aarhus – Weather a good F4 coming of the shore and a W/L course (2 laps) We were in for some exciting if not unpredictable racing!. Some pre-sailing whatsapp banter, a virtual cuppa and E-ccles cake and the fleet were ready to launch. There were some hopeful faces as the first boats launched, then those faces fell. “Dam there’s Phil!!!”
Race 1 started A good start saw Phil and Keith get away from the rest of the fleet heading for the upwind mark, It was all very tight at the mark, Keith on Starboard and Phil coming in hard on Port, Phil decided there was room and tacked in front, Keith failed to avoid (was there room!!), The Jury said yes, and a Keith took the Penalty, Phil now with a near 100m lead and Daniel taking 2nd spot, Phil must have made a mistake as Daniel closed to within 2 seconds at the finish but couldn’t quite overhaul him, Keith in 3rd some 15 seconds behind. Phil was still looking good but not quite as convincing as the night before.
“Probably shouldn’t have run into the back of Phil” – Keith
“I probably shouldn’t have clipped the committee boat at the start 🙄” – Daniel
“I started doing 360s at the start !!” – Dave
Race 2 Finished in the Same order as Race 1 with Anthony just outside the top 3.
“Sorry to whoever’s boat I cut in half, send me the bill 🙄
“I think I ploughed thro Anthony just after the start. Sorry – Dave “No Probs” Anthony
“I thought I had a great start, the OOD disagreed” – Keith (Sadly no Protests) “Welcome to my world” -Dave
Race 3 Racing was even closer just 8 seconds between the top 3, Keith – Just pipping Phil to the Line by 1 second, Daniel then Dace just behind.
Race 4 Phil and Daniel in that order just separated by 7 seconds the Anthony taking a well deserved 3rd.
Race 5 This was the closest race , with all 5 finishers within 40 seconds, It may have been Phil’s Day with 3 bullets and 2 seconds to discard but this race when to Daniel by just 1 second having battled hard all day.
The Fleet returned to shore to lick there wounds and do some major repairs,
Back on shore………..
“I think Phil should be given a handicap (maybe tie one hand behind his back? Or he has to have Henrietta on his lap to ‘help’ with pressing buttons?) 🤪” – Daniel “She was wondering in and out while he was playing…but I can arrange for her to sit on his lap…” Tamsin Thanks, it’s only fair! 😇 – Daniel
Click image for full results, including Race tables.
Same Time next week…… The more the merrier. (Max 20 boats, 1st come basis)
Keith
Great Minds or Buses?? (Busss I think!)
Now this really is a First, 2 reports for 1 event!!!!!
With the current situation preventing all sporting events normal club sailing has temporally been cancelled until further notice. However, this has not stopped members of RBSC who took to their pc’s and tablets to join in the Spring e-sailing series. Using one of the best virtual sailing platforms members swapped their normal craft of Solos. Lasers and Wayfarers for 49er’s, sailing around a course in Aarhus in Denmark!
With races lasting for less than ten minutes five races were held. Penalties are automatically enforced for any rule infringements and the Virtual Race Officer takes a dim view when you plough through the Committee boat at the start!!
Phil Highfield and Dan Harvey were the front runners in the first two races with Highfield just holding of Harvey by a few seconds each time.
In race three Keith Sykes was first off the line and took an early lead. Highfield slowly closed the gap over the two lap race and at the finish Sykes crossed the line just one second ahead.
Unfortunately for Sykes he was unable to produce another perfect start ending up last over the line in race four. Highfield and Harvey lead the fleet opening up a good lead with Highfield taking line honours. Antony Barnes led the rest of the fleet home to finish third.
In the final race the usual suspects were again at the front of the fleet with just a few seconds separating Highfield, Harvey and Sykes. This remained right up to the finish with Harvey beating Highfield by just one second.
With everyone appearing to enjoy the friendly competition all were looking forward to the second installment next Sunday.
Given the wind strength it was impressive to see 16 boats come to the line for racing at Rollesby on Sunday 16th March. Needless to say there were not 16 who reached the finish line.
A squall just the race started allowed Howard Astley-Jones in his
Vareo to port start the fleet as everyone else struggled to reach the inner
distance end of the line. Daniel Bull in his Laser was first round the very
distant windward mark with Chris Foster in closest pursuit and Matt Boreham,
Terry Palmer (Solos), Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer) and
Astley-Jones completing an early but clear front group.
Further back the two Richards, Foster and Brown along with Keith Sykes were actually blown downwind from the start line. Foster took the decision to simply go for a blast whilst the others recovered to chase Stuart Highfield and Steve Leigh up the first beat.
There were capsizes a plenty, on the second lap Highfield and
Leigh spent long enough upside down to retire, Clive Girling got back down the
broad successfully bit decided on discretion along with Brown, Palmer and Bob
Sparrow! With the fleet now down to nine, the rescue service were busy catching
up……. Sykes retired too as the leaders were about to lap him.
By lap 3 Boreham, having stayed up right had worked his way past
the Lasers and seemed to enjoy the last lap as he led all the way round.
Astley-Jones was getting the hang of the run, in absolute turbo mode flying his
kite! And worked his way through to second on the water. Bull looked set for
third before a capsize at the last gybe, Foster looked like gaining but
produced an exact carbon copy a few seconds later! This let the Wayfarer
through to third.
Special mention should go to the other survivors, Phil Alison
(Solo) sailed a lonely, but always upright, race alone in the gap between the
front group and ‘the rest’ whilst Ellie Edwards battled her Splash round and
John Saddington sporting the clubs B-plan sail on his Solo brought up the rear.
Only four boats ventured out for race two, Houghton and Boreham
the only survivors to take the wins in their respective fleets.
Multisails
Race 1 (3 entries)
1. Howard Astley-Jones (Vareo) 2. Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer)
Race 2 (2) 1. Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer)
SingleHanders
Race 1 (12 entries)
1. Matt Boreham (Solo) 2. Daniel Bull (Laser) 3. Chris Foster (Laser) 4. Ellie Edwards (Splash) 5. Phil Alison (Solo) 6. John Saddington (Solo)
It was another windy day at Rollesby for the fifth instalment of the Frostbite series. There were several white horses visible on the broad which may have deterred a few from venturing out.
Twelve boats took to the water with the Singlehander fleet once again the larger of the two fleets. The race team set a course using almost the full length of the broad with a course providing two beats, a reach and a run. There were several capsizes during the two races although only one retirement with Keith’s day brought to a wet and early conclusion when his toe strap failed in his Laser.
In race one of the Multisails the fleet were reasonably close going up the first beat. Once on the run Dave & John benefited by using their spinnaker, gradually opened up a gap on the others to take the win. Howard, sailing his Vareo kept far enough ahead of the two chasing Wayfarers to take second. Bob & Chris and Dan & Andy enjoyed a close battle throughout the race with the latter just taking third position.
In the Singlehander fleet Daniel (Laser) took an early lead which he gradually extended throughout the race. Matt (Solo) managed to keep close for the first lap but was overtaken by Tamsin in the family Streaker on the second lap opening up a sufficient gap to claim second.
In race two both fleets started together. Dave & John rounded the windward mark first closely followed by Daniel. These two gradually pulled ahead with a few place changes throughout the race with Daniel ahead at the finish. Howard recovered well from a capsize to cross the line next with Tasmin not far behind.
Sunday 26th January saw the end of a very mild and
variable wind strength winter series at Rollesby Broad and our very competitive
fleets produced four different winners over the five series! Next week sees our
one day Frostbite Regatta – followed by the series. Watch out for the forecast,
you have been warned………
A good south westerly blowing almost straight up the broad saw
youth triumph over experience on the day in the singlehander fleet as Daniel
Bull found the turbo button on his Laser, narrowly out pacing the pack upwind,
but really nailing the two main downwind legs, which were almost dead runs.
Clearly the course suited the Lasers as Andy Bassett took second from Tamsin
Highfield in her Streaker. Terry Palmer was the dominant Solo, leading home
from Ian Ayres whose fifth was good enough to give him the series.
Pre Start – from webcam..
Bull was again on form in race two but this time challenged more
closely by Phil Highfield who brought the Streaker home in second place to take
this series with Steve Whitby’s Europe in third in the race and the series!
With Mike McNamara & Andy Smith having already secured the
first race multisail series, and not on the water, the Wayfarers of Roger
Wilson & Dennis Manning and Dave Houghton & John Symonds were able to
play with their kites on the favourable downwind legs. However neither could
stay close enough to Chris & Angie Sallis in race one, who won in their
Tasar. Wilson won the Wayfarer battle but Houghton took second in the series
with Howard Astley-Jones securing third overall with a fourth place in his
Vareo.
Wilson and Manning had a faulty drop in race two to give the
victory and the series to Houghton & Symonds from McNamara with
Astley-Jones third in the race and overall again!
With a smaller turnout in the afternoons McNamara took the series
without winning a race! Wilson & Manning took the final win very narrowly
from Palmer with Whitby’s third close enough to give him second overall.
Full series results are on the club website.
Multisails
Race 1 (7 entries) 1. Chris & Angie Sallis (Tasar) 2. Roger Wilson & Dennis Manning (Wayfarer) 3. Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer)
Race 2 (6) 1. Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer) 2. Roger Wilson & Dennis Manning (Wayfarer) 3. Howard Astley-Jones (Vareo)
SingleHanders
Race 1 (14 entries) 1. Daniel Bull (Laser) 2. Andy Bassett (Laser) 3. Tamsin Highfield (Streaker)
Race 2 (13) 1. Daniel Bull (Laser) 2. Phil Highfiled (Streaker) 3. Steve Whitby (Europe)
Mixed PM Race 3 (7) 1. Roger Wilson & Dennis Manning (Wayfarer) 2. Terry Palmer (Solo) 3. Steve Whitby (Europe)
Autumn Series Results Overall
Multisails
Race 1 (14 entries) 1. Mike McNamara & Andy Smith (Albacore) – 5pts 2. Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer) – 7 3. Howard Astley- Jones (Vareo) – 12
Race 2 (13) 1. Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer) – 4 2. Mike McNamara & Andy Smith (Albacore) – 7 3. Howard Astley- Jones (Vareo)- 11
SingleHanders
Race 1 (30 entries) 1. Ian Ayres (Solo) – 5pts 2. Tamsin Highfield (Streaker) – 11 3. Bob Hawkins (Solo) – 13 4. Terry Palmer (Solo) – 13 5. Matt Boreham (Solo) -16
Race 2 (31) 1. Phil Highfield (Streaker) – 5 2. Ian Ayres (Solo) – 9 3. Steve Whitby (Europe) – 11 4. Chris Foster (Laser) – 16 5.Daniel Bull (Laser) – 16
Mixed PM Race 3 (23) 1. Mike McNamara & Andy Smith (Albacore) – 6pts 2. Steve Whitby (Europe) – 12 3. Chris Foster (Laser) – 13
A bright sunny morning with a rising wind greeted 28 boats at
Rollesby Broad on Sunday 19th January.
Nine multisailed craft took to the water, though a couple were at least a little late for their start! Roger Wilson & Dennis Manning had the best start in their Wayfarer, though it took very little time for Mike McNamara & Any Smith to take the lead in their Albacore. McNamara could not get far enough ahead and with two doewnwind legs suitable for spinnakers Wilson took the win with Richard Foster & Tony Ingram sailing an excellent race to finish third in there Xenon. McNamara made no mistakes in race 2, but was very closely challenged by Howard Astley-Jones who missed victory by just four seconds in his Vareo.
With nineteen starters (including 8 Lasers and 8 Solos) the single-handers were a little more crowded at their start. A short first beat meant some very wide routes and large gains and losses at the first two gybe marks as the fleet rounded both several deep. A rare appearance of Darren Pikes Phantom saw him establish a good lead, but once the pack has settled down it was Kevin Postlethwaite in his Solo and Andy Bassetts Laser who appeared to have cleared trouble most profitably. Postlethwaite held close enough order to the encroaching Laser pack to win, whilst Terry Palmer led Matt Boreham home to complete a Solo podium.
Race 2 Starts – Thanks Daniel
In race two Pike couldn’t quite escape; Chris Foster (Laser), Ian
Ayres (Solo) and Phil Highfield (Streaker) all in line with Phantom on the
first run. However the leaders met a lull as they reached the gybe mark and the
pack arrived on mass on a gust turning the fleet almost inside out. On the
longer leg down the broad Pike just got in front, but never by far. Highfield
and Foster were able to stay near the front whilst Ayres got swamped and
dropped to 18th! Highfield hit his stride up wind to gain
sufficiently for the win with a charging Bob Hawkins enjoying the rising breeze
to bring his Solo home second with Foster third.
Multisails
Race 1 (9 entries) 1. Roger Wilson & Dennis Manning (Wayfarer) 2. Mike McNamara & Andy Smith (Albacore) 3. Richard Foster & Tony Ingram (Xenon)
Race 2 (9) 1. Mike McNamara & Andy Smith (Albacore) 2. Howard Astley-Jones (Vareo) 3. Dave Houghton & John Symonds (Wayfarer)
SingleHanders
Race 1 (19 entries) 1. Kevin Postlethwaite (Solo) 2. Terry Palmer (Solo) 3. Matt Boreham (Solo) 4. Andy Bassett (Laser)
Race 2 (18) 1. Phil Highfield (Streaker) 2. Bob Hawkins (Solo) 3. Chris Foster (Laser) 4. Terry Palmer (Solo)
The forecast was for very strong winds for the fifth episode of the winter series, however, most of the time conditions were manageable although there were some big gusts and equally big shifts which tested the eighteen boats which entered.
The race team used most of the broad when setting the course which comprised of two beats, two reaches and a run. In the multi-sail fleet Mike McNamara and Andy Smith , sailing their Albacore, led off the line, closely followed by Howard Astley-Jones in a Vareo and Dave Houghton and John Symonds in a Wayfarer. The Albacore slowly pulled away, crossing the line a minute and a half ahead of the Vareo, to win by one second on corrected time. Houghton and Symonds were just behind the Vareo but capsized when tacking just metres from the line.
In the single-hander race Chris Foster, sailing a Laser, led the fleet for the first two laps only to be caught by the Solos of Ian Ayres and a charging Terry Palmer who picked up several places on the last lap to finish just five seconds behind Ayres. Tamsin Highfield, in a Streaker, maintained her position throughout the race to claim third place on corrected time.
At the start of Race Two the multi-sail fleet were hit by a big header which resulted in Astley-Jones capsizing to windward on the line. McNamara and Smith led the fleet once again and opened up a good lead after the first lap. However, on lap two Houghton and Symonds enjoyed a good downwind leg, using their spinnaker, closing the gap which helped earn them a win on corrected time. Astley-Jones recovered well from his slow start to claim third.
In the single-hander fleet Solos took the top two positions after the first lap. Daniel Bull, in his Laser, proved to be fastest on the water, took the lead a couple of times and finished thirty seconds ahead of the next boat but a few capsizes probably cost him the race. Next across the line was Phil Highfield in the family Streaker who took third place on corrected time but just behind him was Ayres in his Solo and Steve Whitby in a Europe who claimed the top two places, respectively.
