2004 Race results
From Tom Sargeant
SERIES 2000 3rd APRIL 2004
In a fresh westerly breeze four yachts came to the start line for the first
race of the season. The Sigma 33, Sigducer, got away best but was closely
followed to leeward by both th Oyste Bulr37, Cracker, and the Robber, Bula. The
smallest boat in the race, Mistress of Colne, got rather left behind
Despite running aground on Second Beach, Sigducer managed to stay in front of
Cracker out to the Inner Bench Head, but onto WMYC No 6 Cracker edged in front.
However Bula was still managing to keep in touch with both of them.
Under spinnaker to Colne Fishery Cracker continued to edge away from Sigducer.
As both tried to carry their spinnakers back down the river to the line they
both had to struggle to keep them flying.
Around No 13 Sigducer was still just about saving her time on Cracker but the
wind fluked and both boats broached. Cracker recovered faster and got her
spinnaker down more efficiently than Sigducer and just saved her time.
Bula had continued to sail a canny race, had dropped her spinnaker on the run
in good time, and had actually benefited from flukes in the wind and ended up
taking first place on handicap by a big margin, a big improvement on last years
disappointing results.
Mistress of Colne gamely struggled round the course but was a long way adrift
on handicap.
1st Bula - Robber Mk3 - Tony Diver
2nd Cracker - Oyster 37 - Steve Heppel
3rd Sigducer - Sigma 33 - Mike Hempstead
4th Mistress of Colne - Hunter 701 - Alan Lee
PURSUIT RACE SERIES 11th APRIL 2004
In bright weather with a steady light south west breeze six yachts came to the
line for the season’s first pursuit race. Of the first three starters only Bula
made anything of the opportunity. The next two away were the Etap 28’s,
Metaphor and Redwing of Graham Adams and Colin Willett. They fought out a very
close start from which Graham just came out the winner.
Sigducer, the last to start, was able to gain some advantage from observing the
others and put in several tacks to work round the East Mersea Stone out of the
tide. When she struck out for No 13 she had already got the better of the two
Etaps who were locked in a close personal duel and Mistress of Colne, the first
boat away. Tacking down Second Beach she slowly caught and past Mayhem but Bula
who had struck out early across the tide and up the slack water on the Mersea
side had a good lead at No 8. Down wind to No 15 Bula quickly hoisted her
spinnaker. Sigducer hoisted a brand new No 1 spinnaker and quickly started to
pull back Bula’s lead. Behind them Redwing, Metaphor and Mayhem were all in a
heap under spinnakers, Redwing just coming out in front.
Approaching No 15 the leading pair jockeyed for position, Bula held her own out
in front up to the mark and got the better of the mark rounding, and with time
running out was still in with a chance against the bigger Sigma. However at No
12 she misjudged the tide and tacked too soon. Sigducer stood on right in under
the Mersea shore and gained a major advantage, and when the race finished at
16.00 off Creekmouth she had a fair lead.
Further back in Redwing, Colin Willet held on to take third from Graham Adams
in Metaphor and Ian Hunter in Mayhe.
1st Sigducer - Sigma 33 - Mike Hempstead
2nd Bula - Robber Mk3 - Tony Diver
3rd Redwing - Etap 28 - Colin Willet
4th Metaphor - Etap 28 - Graham Adams
5th Mayhem - Westerly Storm - Ian Hunter
6th Mistress of Colne - Hunter 701 - Alan Lee
COCK OF THE RIVER 17th APRIL 2004
In a light moderate westerly wind eight yachts started the first race of the
CYC Cock of the River Series. Sigducer exploited some confusion among the
others to sail up to the line and bear off for a clean start fight on the gun.
On the short down wind leg to No 13 no one spinnaker and Sigducer continued to
hold her initial advantage from Redwing and Metaphor. Close astern a duel
between Bula and Jumana was resolved in Jumana’s favour. Sarantina and Mistress
of Colne brought up the rear.
On a close reach to No 8 Sigducer marginally improved. Redwing held second
place and Metaphor got ahead of Mayhem. The leg to WMYC No 6 started as a fetch
but out past Molliette it turned into a beat. The bigger boats now had the
advantage. Sigducer stretched her lead and Mayhem got past into second place.
Further astern Bula put in a disastrous tack up to windward lost touch with
Jumana and at the mark was under pressure from Sarantina.
Down wind to the Inner Bencg Head Sigducer stretched her lead. Astern Redwing
worked her gybe angles to the south and got past Mayhem while Metaphor went to
the north but made little impression. Further back Bula spinnaker away from
Sarantina but could not catch Jumana.
The long reach home did not give much opportunity for place changes and
Sigducer was the first boat home. Redwing came in next, first on handicap, and
Metaphor was close enough to Mayhem to take second place. Three places further
back Sarantina had hung on well to take third place on handicap
1st Redwing - Etap 28 - Colin Willet
2nd Metaphor - Etap 28 - Graham Adams
3rd Saran Tina - Samphire 26 - Sue Last
4th Mayhem - Westerly Storm - Ian Hunter
5th Sigducer - Sigma 33 - Mike Hempstead
6th Bula - Robber Mk3 - Tony Diver
7th Jumana - Sadler 26 - Danny Smith
8th Mistress of Colne - Hunter 701 - Alan Lee
SERIES 2000 24th APRIL 2004
Due to lack of wind the start was delayed till 12.30 when the wind had built to
a light southerly. In bright sunshine six yachts came to the line. Four of
them, Bula, Mistress of Colne, Sarantina and Romany made a good start bunched
together on the Mersea shore.
Dave Draper had only just launched Egret and was just plain late, but Sigducer
had missed her timed run into the line and was recalled.
The main pack struck out straight away across the tide to No 13 But Sigducer
got in close to the Stone and by the time they all got to No 13 had recovered
most of the time lost at the start.
All the boats elected to short tack down the slack water on the St Osyth shore
and as was to be expected Sigducer got to No 8 with a good lead. She was
followed by, Bula, Romany, Sarantina, Mistress of Colne and Egret. On the long
reach to WMYC No 6 the fleet spread out. On the close spinnaker reach back to
No 8 and the run down the river to the finnish, Sigducer stretched her lead and
Egret got past Mistress of Colne.
The other three boats stuck relatively close together and despite not having a
spinnaker Sarantina not only saved her time on Romany and Bula but caught
Sigducer to take first place. A really great effort.
1st Sarantina - Samphire 26 - Sue Last
2nd Sigducer - Sigma 33 - Mike Hempstead
3rd Bula Robber Mk3 - Tony Diver
4thRomany - Gibsea 28 - Robin Impey
5th Mistress of Colne - Hunter 701 - Alan Lee
6th Egret - Parker 27 - Dave Draper
CYC PURSUIT RACE 2ND MAY 2004
In dull misty conditions and a light north westerly wind eight yachts made a
staggered start from the Batemans line from 10.56 onwards. All went off close
under the Mersea shore out of the tide. Down wind to No 8 Sarantina got into
the lead but Bula got past four boats to round a close second. By this time the
tide had turnerd and the wind had gone lighter. Sarantina and Bula broke
quickly across to slack water on the Point Clear side and for a while seemed to
be opening out on the fleet who headed back down the Mersea side. However off
Creekmouth with Bula just edging ahead the local sea breeze headed and dropped
further. On the other side the wind freed and picked up! The main beneficiaries
were Egret and Metaphor, the two fastest and most closely matched boats. They
had been in close contention right from the start and arrived at No 8 just as
it became clear the best track was along the Mersea shore.
Metaphor led Egret right through the fleet and when time ran out between No 15
and No 12 they were first and second. Sarantina escaped from her poor position
sneaking through over Splash Point and in close to the Tower to hang on to
third place Simply Red. Bula, constrained by her draft, could not follow and
late in the day tacked off to find herself behind both Simply Red and Jumana
who had followed the leaders down the Mersea shore. Even the last two boats,
Mistress of Colne and Scallion were not far behind.
It was gratifying to see such a close finish in such difficult and trying conditions.
1st Metaphor -Etap 28 - Graham Adams
2nd Egret - Parker 27 - Dave Draper
3rd Saran Tina - Samphire 26 - Sue Last
4th Simply Red - Etap 28 - Steve Merrell
5th Jumana - Sadler 26 - Danny Smith
6th Bula - /robber Mk 3 - Tony Diver
7th Mistress of Colne - Hunter 701 - Alan Lee ?
8th Scallion - Spring 25 - Mike Hare ?
CYC Yacht Race, Series 2000, 15th May 2004
On a day of alight north westerly wind and warm sunshine eleven
Yachts turned out for the third race of the CYC Series 2000. The best
place to start was close into the Mersea shore. Under Spinnakers Dave
Drapers Egret got away best followed by Stev Lightlys Mackie ll and
Tony Divers Bula. Close behind came Alan Lees Mistress of Colne and
Simon Sawards Lunan going well despite not flying a Spinnaker!
At No13 Mike Hempsteads Sigducer managed to recover from a
shaky start to round fourth. The leg to No8 started as a spinnaker
reach. Then the wind headed and eased. From astern Sigducer and
Mike Hares Scallion spotted the trend, worked their way up to
windward and were able to carry their spinnakers longer and past
Bula and Mackie. Further back Lunan now under spinnaker was also
able to gain ground.
At No8 Egret was in the lead but Sigducer rounded right on top of
them and quickly drove through to leeward. Both hung on close to
the Mersea shore on an easy reach down to the Mersea Stone. Close
to the Stone the wind headed. Sigducer had to tack up and right on
the point f9und Egret, who had hung on closer inshore, right on top
of them! After a short tacking duel Sigducer forced Egret into her
dirty wind and pulled away.
Further back the change in the wind had caught out other Yachts
but Lunan and Scallion gained from the change. At No8 some of the
fleet got in trouble stemming the tide round the mark and Jack
Jennings in Ayesha was able by good sailing to make up some ground
in conditions that did not really suit!
After several tacks Sigducer scraped round No15 and had to watch
points fetching across the ebb to No12. Here she got in a good
Spinnaker hoist and really started to open out. Egret was still in
second place but was being chased by Lunan. Further back, Scallion,
Mackie and Bula were racing in a tight group. Despite a couple of
minior broaches in the building breeze Scallion got out in front.
Beating back from No8 to No13 and the finish was now relatively
easy as the wind had steadied and freshened. Sigducer held onto a
good lead and saved her time on Egret but Lunan beat both of them to take second place on handicap and Scallion did enough to come
right through into first place.
1st Scallion, Spring 25, Mike Hare,
2nd Lunan, Jouet 920, Simon Saward,
3rd Sigducer, Sigma 33, Mike Hempstead,
4th Bula, Robber Mk3, Tony Diver,
5th Mackie ll, Hustler 30, Steve Lightly,
6th Sarantina, Samphire 26, Sue Last,
7th Egret, Parker 27, Dave Draper,
8th Romany, Gibsea 28, Robin Impey,
9th Ayesha, Gaff Cutter, Jack Jennings
10th Mistress Of Colne, Hunter 701, Alan Lee,
Retired Jumana Sadler 26, Danny Smith.
Colne Yacht Club Cruiser Pursuit Race
23rd May 2004
Nine Club Yachts set off on a staggered start Sunday PM in very
variable conditions. The early starters had to beat up to No18 against
a north wind where as the middle order were able to run a long first
section before sailing out of the southerly wind. The late starters ran all the way!
The first starter, Sue Lasts Sarantina had a reasonable lead at No18
but at the start of the beat back she looked in danger from Mike
Hares Scallion and Danny Smiths Jumana. However Sarantinas crew
sailed a skilful course clawing up to the windward Brightlingsea shore
at every opportunity, tacking up when there was a danger of sagging
into the last of the flood tide.
Behind them Jumana and Scallion were locked in a duel. Jumana to
leeward seemed to carry her sail better and when she tacked off the
Mersea shore she caught Scallion in a classic port and starboard trap.
Scallion was so badly thrown that by the time she past through the
line Stev Archer sailing Bula had got past as well.
Bula had really got the bit between her teeth. At No13 she squeezed round ahead of Jumana. Simon Saywards
Lunan, despite an
indifferent start was now making progress and just got to the mark ahead of Colin Critterdens Ocean Brave. Dave Drapers Egret was also
going well from a late start and although he had past Geoff Shaws
Pineapple ll and Alan Lees Mistress of Colne it was clear he still had a
lot to do to get in the places! Sarantina still had a good lead down to No15 but behind her Bula
and Jumana were going for their Spinnakers. A good Spinnaker leg
could have done a lot for them! Jumana beat Bula to the hoist and
edged ahead again but at No15 threw away her advantage rounding
the mark the wrong way. This threw Bula into confusion as well but
she got out of trouble quicker to retake second place. Lunan
profited, closed in and on the wind back to No13 got past Jumana. At
this point Scallion dropped out of the race.
All this had allowed Sarantina to stretch away. As she turned down
wind to the line and onto No18 she looked untouchable, This proved
to be the case! When the time ran out she was still out in front by a
long way. Bula, Lunan and Jumana were all close together with Egret
Spinnacking up on them.
Sarantina was a worthy winner. Sue and her crew had got away
promptly at the start which was more than could be said for several
others, had sailed round the course as if on rails, not giving any one
else any easy chance to catch up!
1st Sarantina, Samphire 26, Sue Last.
2nd Bula, Robber Mk3, Stev Archer.
3rd Lunan, Jouet 920, Simon Sayward.
4th Jumana, Sadler 26, Danny Smith.
5th Egret, Parker 27, Dave Draper.
6th Ocean Brave, Tomahawk 25, Colin Crittenden.
7th Pineapple ll, Beneteau 235, Geoff Shaw.
8th Mistress of Colne, Hunter 701, Alan Lee.
Retired Scallion, Spring 25, Mike Hare.
COCK OF THE RIVER SERIES; THIRD RACE 5th June 2004
Saturday morning thirteen Yachts set off down wind in light and
difficult conditions against the tide. For once there seemed little to
chose between the Brightlingsea and Mersea shore and several Yachts
converged on the first mark in close company.
After a bit of a scuffle Dave Drapers Egret got round first closely
followed by Mike Hempsteads Sigducer and Colin Willets Redwing. At
No 8 these three were still fighting it out but as they headed out to
WMYC No 6 on a difficult Spinnaker reach Egret and Redwing
managed to brake away from Sigducer who found it impossible to
carry her Spinnaker all the way.
On rounding No 6 still under Spinnaker Egret was able to work out a
big lead but close to the Inner Bench Head she sailed into a windless
Black Hole! The rest of the fleet brought up the last of the breeze and
the whole fleet ended up more or less together waiting for something
to happen.
Eventually the Sea Breeze kicked in from the South East. Redwing
and Jack Jennings in his Gaff Cutter Ayesha saw it coming and
managed to sail towards it and were major beneficarys, rounding
well ahead of every one else. Sigducer and Danny Smith in Jumana
stuck it out close to the mark and just got round ahead of the pack.
The big loser was Egret!
Down wind to the finish Redwing drew out a very big lead even
when he sailed out of the Sea Breeze around No 8. Sigducer got up past Ayesha in the same area to take second on the lie with Ayesha third.
Down the fleet Yachts were able to run home with the Sea Breeze
all the way to some advantage. There were a series of close finishes,
between Liselle and Lunan and Mistress Of Colne and Mayhem. Right
at the back of the fleet there was a dead heat between Scallion and
Metaphor with Bula just ahead and Sarantina just astern.
In the end on Handicap Alan Lees Mistress Of Colne really
benefitted from being able to run all the way home and took first
place from Redwing and Sarantina took third.
1st Mistress Of Colne, Hunter 701, Alan Lee,
2nd Redwing, Etap 28,Colin Willet,
3rd Sarantina, Samphire 26, Sue Last.
4th scallion, Spring 25, Mike Hare,
5th Liselle, Achilles 24, Tim Snow,
6th Jumana, Sadler 26, Danny Smith,
7th Ayesha Gaff Cutter, Jack Jennings,
8th Mayhem, Westerly Storm, Ian Hunter,
9th Bula, Robber Mk3, Tony Diver,
10th Sigducer, Sigma 33, Mike Hempstead,
11th Lunan, Jouet 920, Simon Saward,
12th Metaphor, Etap 28, Graham Adams,
13th Egret, Parker 26, Dave Draper.
Colne Yacht Club Series 2000 Cruiser
Race.20th June 2004
From a committee boat start line courtesy of "The Old Gaffers
Association" from a feild of eight Dave Drapers Egret got away best
on the down wind start. However at the Inner Bench Head Danny
Smiths Jumana was still in contention. Egret managed to fetch all the way to WMYC No6 but the rest of the fleet did not manage so well and had to tack up.
Down wind to the Bench Head Egret stretched out the advantage
gained up to No6 and pulled out a good lead on the main pack.
Jumana managed to stay in with him and pull away from the pack as
well. There then followed a long fetch back to No13. Here Egret
really broke away from Jumana who in turn continued to hold a good
lead over the main pack.
The main pack of four Yachts, Bula, Tony Diver, Scallion, Mike Hare,
Pineapple ll, Geof Shaw and Robin Impeys Romany raced hard against
each other and arrived at No13 all in a heap. Egret and Jumana had
managed to fetch up to the finish but the next four had to tack up.
In the closely fought duel both Scallion and Pineapple ll managed to
get the better of Bula who held on ahead of Romany.
Close behind them Mistress Of Colne, Alan Lee got in ahead of
Sarantina, Sue Last who, although finishing last had done enough to
finish third on handicap. Right at the front Egret found he could not
best Jumana who took first place on handicap and had to be content
with overall second place.
1st Jumana, Saddler 26, Danny Smith, 2nd Egret Parker 26, Dave
Draper, 3rd Sarantiana, Samphire 26, Sue Last.
4th Scallion Spring 25 Mike Hare, 5th Mistress of Colne Alan Lee, 6th Romany, Gibsea 28, Robin
Impey, 7th Bula, Robber Mk3 Tony Diver, 8th Pineapple ll, Beneteau 235 Geoff Shaw.
Colne Yacht Club Pursuit Race 4th July 2004
On Sunday afternoon in overcast and blustery conditions eight
yachts started the fifth CYC Pursuit race. On the wind down tide to
No13 and No8 the first two Yachts to start, Sarantina, Sue Last and
Mistress Of Colne, Alan Lee found it hard going against the nasty
short sea kicked up by the wind against the tide.
However the third yacht away. Jumana, Danny Smith revelled in the
difficult conditions and rapidly eroded Mistress's and Sarantina's
lead. Down wind through the line to No15 he got past Mistress and
was timed through the line as only one minute behind Sarantina! As
the yachts came back from No12 Jumana took the lead and by the
end of the race had stretched it to a respectable six minutes!
Further back Bula, Tony Diver was able to catch and pass Scallion,
Mike Hare who had a start of six minutes but could not quite over
come Mistress of Colnes eight minute start so he kept third place with
Bula fourth!
At the back of the fleet Namestay, P. Hales eventually managed to
overcome Ayesha's, Jack Jennings, two minute advantage. Right at the
back the 'Scratch' yacht, Sigducer was catching up fast but sailing
single handed Mike Hempstead could not expect to perform up to his
Handicap!.
1st Jumana, Saddler 26, Danny Smith,
2nd Sarantina, Samphire 26, Sue Last,
3rd Mistress Of Colne, Hunter 701, Alan Lee.
4th Bula, Robber Mk3, Tony Diver,
5th Scallion, Spring 25, Mike Hare,
6th Namesta, Bavaria 36, P. Hales,
7th Ayesha, Gaff Cutter, Jack Jennings,
8th Sigducer, Sigma 33, Mike Hempstead.
Colne Yacht Club Race Report 11th July 2004
Of the three Brightlingsea One Designs racing Sunday morning from the CYC Club House Line, C25,White Magic, Brian Walker got away best from C23 Avocet, Bob King However as they tacked out past
the Sailing Club C6, Jumbo Too, Tom Sargeant picked up a good lift and came right up with them. However when they tacked over to the
Prom he failed to cover, they picked up a lift and edged away.
Beating up against the tide from the Creek to No12, first one boat got an advantage then another. Close to the mark there a boat length or two between all three. However C32 judged his approach across the tide better than the others and rounded first
Down wind to the Mersea Stone and on a closer reach to Cocum C25 pressed C32 hard and both of them clinbed high on the mark. C6
some way behind sailed the lay line, saved a lot of distance and caught up.
Two sail reaching to Big Buoy all three closed right up but C32 just held his lead to the mark. On the wind to Mersea Wreck C32 held on
out of the tide towards Point Clear. C25 risked the tide and tacked off into the river. C6 followed C32. C25 picked up a good lift and again
for a lift, failed to find anything and dropped right out of contention. In the end C32 Spinnakered down the Creek just ahead of
closed in on C32. He held his nerve,covered C25 and got to the mark
still ahead. C6 lost patience and tacked off towards the Stone looking
C25 to win a hotly contested race.
1st C32 Avocet, Bob King,
2nd C25, White Magic, Brian Walker,
3rd C6 Jumbo Too, Tom Sargeant.
17th July 2004
For the fifth race in the CYC Cock Of The River series due to some
problem getting the starting officer into Batemans Tower there was a
delayed start but eventually eleven Yachts set off up the Pyefleet.
Mike Hempsteads Sigducer and Colin Willets Redwing were the first to
show. When the wind freed a little Redwing and Dave Drapers Egret
closed right up on Sigducer when he failed to set his Spinnaker.
Going back to No13 against the tide Sigducer and Redwing broke
early from the Mersea shore for the slack water by Batemans Tower to
get on the inside of No13. All would have been well if the wind had
been constant but they sailed into a windless "Black Hole" and had to
watch Egret sneak in along the Mersea bank, brake late from the
Stone and round ahead of them.
Just in time Sigducer broke out of the "Black Hole" but for Red
Wing and the rest of the fleet there was a long wait to get back in the
wind. During the following, long difficult beat in shifting, uneven
wind conditions against the tide Sigducer got up with and ahead of
Egret but could not shake him off completely. When they rounded
they had the flood under them as they set off back down river. The
rest of the fleet only now back in the breeze had dropped so far back
they were in danger of getting to the mark as the tide turned!
Back down to No13, up the Pyefleet and back to the line Sigducer
continued to edge away but could not do enough to save his time on
Egret who had hung on doggedly. Redwing came in nearly half and
hour later but in turn could not save his time on Bula, Tony Diver
who took third place on Handicap or Pineapple ll, Geoff Shaw. All of
them had to fight against the ebb tide and the lack of wind in the
numerous rain showers.
Mayhem, Ian Hunter, Metaphor, Graham Adams and Romany Robin
Impy came in close together after a long three hour plus struggle
against wind and tide. The remaining three Yachts had to retire!
1st Egret, Parker 27, Dave Draper,
2nd Sigducer, Sigma 33, Mike Hempstead,
3rd Bula, Robber Mk3 Tony Diver.
4th Pineapple ll, Beneteau 235, Geoff Shaw,
5th Redwing, Etap 28, Colin Willet,
6th Romany, Gibsea 28, Robin Impey,
7th Mayhem, Westerly Storm, Ian Hunter,
8th Metaphor, Etap 28, Graham Adams,
Retired Jumana, Sarantina and Mistress of Colne.
Note There is no Race Report for the Pursuit race of the 1st August
2004
But here are the results -
1st Bula Robber Mk3 Tony Diver/ Steve Archer,
2nd Lunan, Jouet 920, Simon Seward,
3rd Pineapple ll, Beneteau 235, Geoff Shaw,
4th Ayesha, Gaff Cutter, Jack Jennings,
5th Simply Red, Etap 23, Steve Merrell,
6th Sarantina, Samphire 26, Sue Last,
7th Mistress Of Colne, Hunter 701, Alan Lee,
8th Ocean Brave, Tomahawk 26 Colin Critterden.
Colne Yacht Club Race Report 22/8/04.
On a bright sunny afternoon in a moderate southerly breeze eight
CYC Yachts prepared for a staggered start. The first away was the
freshly scrubbed Sarantina, Sue Last, the narrow leader in the series.
Next away was Mistress Of Colne, Alan Lee, then three boats together, Scallion, Mike Hare, Jumana, Danny Smith and Simply Red,
Steve Merrell.
After them was Bula, close second overall in the series with 'Guest'
helm, Steve Archer. Unfortunately, pressing in to get the maximum
advantage from the slack water under the Mersea Shore the Echo
Sounder let them down and they went hard aground! It took them a
long while to get off and in the mean time Pineapple ll, Geoff Shaw
got away ahead of them and in the end they only got off with a
narrow lead over the scratch boat Egret, Dave Drapper.
As the Yachts came back through the line from No8 heading for
No15 it was clear Sarantina was doing well. They had opened up on
Mistress Of Colne and Jumana had only taken a minute out of them.
At the back Egret had got past Bula but they were both catching the
rest of the fleet.
At the finish at 16-00 hours between No8 and the line Sarantina was
still nicely ahead of Jumana and Mistress Of Colne was just holding
off Egret to take third. Bula had stuck close to Egret all round the
second lap and after their bad start had done well to take fifth place
ahead of Pineapple, Scallion and Simply Red.
1st Sarantina, Samphire 26, Sue Last,
2nd Jumana, Saddler 26, Danny Smith,
3rd Mistress Of Colne, Hunter 701, Alan Lee.
4th Egret Parker 27 Dave Draper,
5th Bula, Robber Mk3, Steve Archer,
6th Pineapple ll Beneteau 235, Geoff Shaw,
7th Scallion Spring 25, Mike Hare,
8th Simply Red, Etap 23, Steve Merrell.
Colne Yacht Club Race Report 4th /5th/9/04.
The Colne Yacht Club had a full weekend program which was
blessed with fine weather and light to moderate southerly winds.
> Saturday evening three Brightlingsea One Designs hotly contested
the start, all three were premature starters! Bob King C32 Avocet was
the first to turn back followed by Tom Sargeant, C6 Jumbo Too who
had to drop his Spinnaker. Brian Walker C25 White Magic pressed on
but eventually came back to start very late!
At Mersea Wreck C32 had a good lead but C6 had pulled back some
ground. Beating to Big Buoy in difficult sea conditions C32 kept
distant cover on C6 and stretched his lead. Close Spinnakering across
to Inner Fishery C6 pulled up alittle but trailed C32 down to Mersea
Stone. Here he managed to get inside C32 out of the tide and as they
ran on inside the Wreck came right up with him.
Both boats sailed up the shore into Pyefleet to dodge the tide. C32
broke first for No12. C6 stood on further and for a while was in the
best position reaching into the mark but misjudged his approach and
lost out.
Beating to Mersea Wreck through the moored Barges C32 stretched
his lead and C25 started to catch up. Fetching into the Creek C32
took the track down the south bank. C6 tried to steal an advantage
by creeping in along the north side but a header put him hard on the
mud and despite his crews efforts, jumping in to push off C32 was
able to sail on to finish first and C25 sailed past down the south bank
to take second place after trailing for the whole race!
Sunday morning the same three boats started in a heap. C25 edged
in front but C32 was held back losing his Spinnaker halyard up the
mast. The skipper had to climb up and recover it on the move! At
Mersea Wreck C25 had pulled out a good lead and C32 had run right
up with C6 and after a short tacking duel C32 got past and set off
after C25.
Between Big Buoy and Cocum C32 closed up on C25 and C6 thought
the wind had freed enough to Spinnaker. With the Spinnaker up C6
closed up but the wind headed again and they lost out. Beating
across to Beach the wind shifted several times. C32 got on the "Right
Side" of the shifts and at the mark had got past C25. He managed to
hold and build a lead down wind to Fishery and on the wind back to
Big Buoy.
As he set off down wind to Mersea Wreck he seemed to have the
race "In The Bag". However C25 kept plugging away and at the mark
had run right up on C32 and got inside him at the rounding! Beating
up into the Creek and to the finish C25 built on his advantage and
worked out a lead but even so it was nip and tuck right to the finish.
CYC Pursuit Race
In the afternoon ten Yachts came to the Batemans Tower Line for
the last of the Clubs Pursuit series. Sue Last, Sarantina was away first
and was never seriously challenged although Jumana, Danny Smith did
manage to brake clear of Scallion, Mike Hare, Simply Red, Steve
Merrel and Samphire, Brian Pooly who all started together and held
second place for most of the race.
Further back Pineapple ll, Geoff Shaw did well to run through most
of the fleet, then catch Bula, Steve Archer to drop into third place.
Right at the back Namasta, Paul Hayes soon got past Egret, Dave
Draper. Sigducer, Mike Hempstead was the last to start and took a
long while to catch up and was still well astern of Egret at No12.
However he tacked right in under the Mersea shore out of the tide
and after several short tacks in and out got right through most of the
fleet. They caught Bula near No8 and at the finish near No12 was
only a few feet behind Pineapple! At this point Sarantina was still
well out in front and had won rhe series!
Saturday BOD Results
1st C32 Avocet Bod King,
2nd C25 White Magic, Brian Walker,
3rd C6 Jumbo Too, Tom Sargeant.
Sunday BOD Results
1st C25 White Magic, Brian Walker,
2nd C32 Avocet, Bob King,
3rd C6 Jumbo Too, Tom Sargeant.
Sunday Cruiser Pursuit Race
1st Sarantina, Samphire 26 Sue Last,
2nd Junana, Sadler 26, Danny Smith,
3rd Pineapple ll, First 325, Geoff Shaw.
4th Sigducer Sigma 33, Mike Hempstead,
5th Bula, Robber Mk3, Steve Archer,
6th Namasta, Bavaria 36, Paul Hale,
7th Scallion, Spring 25, Mike Hare,
8th Egret, Parker 27, Dave Deaper,
9th Simply Red, Etap 23, Steve Merrel,
10th Samphire, Saber 27, Brian Pooley.
Colne Yacht Club Cruiser Race 11/9/04
Despite a blustery fresh south westerly nine Yachts started the CYC
race from the Batemans line. They set off more or less together under
the Mersea shore on a close fetch up Pyefleet. Sigducer, Mike
Hempstead, Namasta, Paul Hales and Mischief, Nick Baker broke clear
and as the leg progressed Sigducer edged out in front, at the mark
establishing a reasonable lead.
Behind the leaders Jumana, Danny Smith had edged ahead of Bula,
Tony Diver who was working hard to keep out Dave Drapers Egret.
Close behind the smallest boat in the race, Mistress of Colne, Alan Lee
was hanging on doggedly. Further back, Sarantina, Sue Last and
Pineapple, Jeff Shaw had to tack up to clear their wind but were
having a very close private race.
On rounding the mark there seemed to be a half chance to fly
spinnakers but no body risked it and as they closed No12 the wind
headed any way! Up to no17 the first three boats spread out but the
main body stuck close together and the back markers continued with
their duel.
On rounding the mark Sigducer headed into the Brightlingsea shore
to dodge the last of the flood tide but every one else sailed the lay
line to No13. At the mark Sigducer found he had lost out and started
the fetch back to Pyefleet with Namasta close astern.
Up to Mersea Stone Namasta continued to nibble away at Sigducers
lead, edging up on his windward quarter. To defend his position
Sigducer sailed right up between the wreck and the shore with only
inches under him. In the circumstances Namasta could not get out to
windward and dropped into Sigducers exhaust. By the time they
reached Pyefleet mark Sigducer had pulled out a lead again.
Although Sigducer continued to edge away round the rest of the
course to finish first it was clear he could not save his time.Jumana
had held on close enough to take first place, Egret gained nothing by
getting past Bula on the last leg, Mistress of Colne had kept close
enough in touch to take third and right at the back, although
eventually bested by Pineapple Sarantina had done enough to take
second place which clinched the series for her helm, Sue Last.
1st Jumana, Saddler 26, Danny Smith,
2nd Sarantina, Samphire 26 Sue Last,
3rd Mistress of Colne Alan Lee.
4th Bula, Robber Mk3, Tony Diver
5th Namasta Bavaria 36, Paul Hales
6th Pineapple ll First 235 Jeff Shaw,
7th Sigducer Sigma 33 Mike Hempstead
8th Egret Parker 27, Dave Draper
