Royal Harwich Yacht Club Shiver Series Day 1
by Gordon Sutton 10 Jan 2023 03:41 PST
8 January 2023
Royal Harwich Yacht Club Shiver Series Day 1 © Gordon Sutton
With strong winds forecasted all week the Race Officer arrived early to be greeted surprisingly with blue skies and moderate southerly wind. This direction hampered course setting so it was decided to decamp down river to Pin Mill where a trapezoid course was set thus keeping the fleet out of the main navigation channel.
The wind was due to build during the morning so racing quickly got under way with 25 boats turning up on the start line split into two, ILCA Lasers and Handicap.
The first race had 14 knts gusting 23 knts, with the Committee Boat situated as close to the Nacton shore as possible, giving an excellent first beat out to the channel. The wind was shifty making the calling of headers vital. A reach, run, reach and small beat back to the start / finish line over three laps gave the competitors 35 minutes of challenging racing. Given these conditions it was surprising there were only a few capsizes and a couple of retirements, testament to the quality of sailing skills being displayed.
The second race was even windier with a steady 19knts and a one gust reported at 32knts. The course was set as for the first with the Race Officer determined to get the second underway before bad weather really set in.
Another 35 minutes of exhilarating racing saw several capsizes, a couple of retirements but many tired and happy faces when they finished three laps later.
RHYC Shivers Series is open to all. For non-members the cost is £30 for the entire series including free boat parking. For more details please go to the RHYC website. The Club's excellent bar and galley are always open after sailing.
Results after two races:
ILCA fleet racing together as a handicap
1st James Deaton, ILCA 6
2nd Paul Davies, ILCA 7
3rd Adam Fuller, ILCA 7
Handicap fleet
1st George Finch/ Daniel Blackburn, N12
2nd Chris and Nicole Mayhew, RS200
3rd Rolland Smith, Solo