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A small fleet of three 12fters arrived at Weymouth last weekend for the 2009 Henri Lloyd Regatta (and the first event in this year's Barterard Cup series), and were made to feel very welcome by all at Castle Cove and Weymouth Sailing Clubs.
The weather on arrival was grey and slightly damp, and the weather station at the Academy was reading between 18 and 22ks, with more expected in the afternoon when a front was due. So quite sensibly the Race Officer decided to set the course within Portland Harbour, rather than in Weymouth bay.
All 3 skiffs set their No.3 rigs, expecting some quick rides downhill, and some interesting reaches, with the course being of the triangle/sausage variety.
The first race saw Nice Action fly off upwind, never really to be seen again by the other skiffs and gain their first bullet of the regatta, followed by CST in 7th place, and Aqaskipper in 8th.
The second race was delayed somewhat, due to shipping movements within the harbour, and by the time the race got underway, the front was starting to make it’s presence felt with some very strong gusts pushing across the harbour. Again, Nice Action showed good pace and was first at the top mark, but on the following lap, a gust hit just after popping the kite, the boat took-off like a scalded cat, and the helm got spat out the back, resulting in a truly classic swim. Nice Action finally finished 6th, with CST 7th, and Aquaskipper 8th . Racing was then abandoned for the day. At the end of day 1, Nice Action was the leading skiff, and was lying 3rd overall on handicap, behind an I14, and an RS200.
After a highly entertaining evening bash at Weymouth Sailing Club (apologies for the singing to those who had to suffer it), Sunday dawned with hangovers all round, but with clear blue skies and 18-20knt of breeze. Champaign sailing indeed!
CST unfortunately had to sit the day out due to grounding the rudder coming in on the previous day and damaging the gantry, and Aquaskipper were late risers (see above), so it was left to the team on Nice Action to put a 12fter on the podium.
Nice Action however, made it to the first start (race 3) with a couple of minutes to spare, and put in another bullet, showing a clean pair of heels to the rest of the Asymmetric fleet in what were perfect conditions, albeit with a few hairy moments on the reach legs with that big kite.
In race 4, Nice Action got a penalty off the line, requiring a 360 turn, and then managed to capsize on a tack up the first beat, both of which put paid to any sensible position, but they pushed on, and managed a respectable 4th place.
So to race 5, and the showdown. The RS200 and I14 were now ahead on points, and to beat them both, Nice Action was going to need to put in the performance of their lives.
Having got a good start, they reached the top mark ahead of the I14, but during the triangle 2-sail reach legs, the extra rag on the I14 saw them overtake NA to round the leeward mark in the lead. The team on Nice Action dug deep, and overtook the I14 on the next upwind leg, a lead that they would hold to the finish, handing them 1st place overall in the Asymmetric Fleet, with the I14 in 2nd, and the RS200 in 3rd.
The 12ft class would like thank everyone at Castle Cove for their generous hospitality, and excellent race management.
12ft Skiff Placings in regatta overall:
1st Overall – Nice Action - Bob Clements & Tom Vian
8th Overall – Aquaskipper – Neil Cardno & Ken Scott-Brown
10th Overall – CST Composites – Andy Lang & Alan Atterbury
12ft Skiff Bartercard Cup Placings:
Nice Action - 6pts
Aquaskipper – 4pts
CST Composites – 3pts
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Bob & Tom "sending" the Nice Action
Nice Action chasing Aquaskipper upwind
Bob & Tom collect the "booty"
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