Pyefleet Week 2007

(Merlin Magic Essex) part of Pyefleet Week 2007
This was not a vintage week for the weather but the sailing and the racing was full on.
Six Merlins sailed in the slow handicap flight part of the 108 boats taking part.
I can only write this peace as the way we viewed it from our place in the fleet.
The race was about who was to be top dog in the Merlin fleet. Graig and crew, new to Merlins had already become the club top rated boat and right from the start stamped authority over the fleet, winning the start and pulling out a good lead from Ozzie and Melissa, Jacko and Lorna. In the last part of the race having lost the lead but gaining a windward overlap on the hill reach became over powered and with the spinnaker sheets wrapped around Jacko’s neck, conceded a fowl and retired. Strangulation might well have occurred but was to follow later.
Race 2 and 3 also sailed in a goodly breeze saw dominance from Graig and Jane with Ozzie and Melissa threatening a win but Graig and Jane finishing with a good lead.
The gods of wind then descended and it was Thursday before racing returned.
Race 4 saw a tighter start with Graig and Jane pulling out a good lead but with Jacko and Lorna finding a way though up wind and hanging on to take the bullet.
Race 5 saw a tight start with Graig hanging on to 2nd until the wind god through a huge beast of a squall down the last run to finish splatting Team Graig just metres from the finish but still holding second place.
Race 6 the final race was win to win saw Graig winning the start but quickly loosing out only to regain it and not to be seen again. Jacko and Lorna got a bit of a gallop on down the last run to the finish but it was Graig's day with a sore line RAF, 1,1,2,2,1.
Jacko and Lorna having been lead Merlin and finishing 2nd over all for the last two years and now riding a new boat, it was race on. Sadly the lack of time spent in the boat racing and a tad bit of unfitness in Jacko’s end of the boat put them at a slight disadvantage.
Failing to start on time in race 1 meant catch up from the start. But settling down slowly pulling through to challenge the lead boat. Lorna relearning old tricks in the newly strung boat work away to take the lead on a down hill spinnaker leg. The unfortunate coming together, and Jacko’s wearing of Graig’s spinnaker was an indication that the race was on.
Race 2 saw Jacko and Lorna again fail to sort the start dropping in to 3rd place with a long gap to 2nd placed Ozzie and Melissa in a good 12 to 18 knots of breeze.
Race 3 was a tighter start with Jacko and Lorna popping out in 2nd but Ozzie and Melissa passing through the lee side and taking off big time. It was on the down hill run that Jacko finally lost the plot and following a jibe and total loss of control made an excellent entrance in to the splat the duck competition. Jacko was seen to spend a considerable time with the fishes and was heard to say how smooth and yellow the new boat was and how well it floated and that the glued on rudder fitting supported his weight well. But refusing offers of help from the passing fleet and the odd jibe about how well he floated gathered Lorna who had ruined her makeup the soggy offending spinnaker and him self back in the boat (it was noted that there was no cheer and applause as when they entered the water right out side the club house).
Race 4 saw a newly sorted sail plan in the Jacko boat. Not starting well and on the second part of the race Jacko and Lorna starting an up wind leg and lifted the weather side of Graig rounded in the lead. Once more Lorna played the kite string and the team took the bullet.
Race 5 saw at last the Jacko Lorna magic (or jam) that makes Lorna know that she’s picked the right helm (laugh I nearly did) taking an early lead and sailing free. With Jacko so keen he wished to do an additional round stopped only by a 30 mph squall and horizontal rain travelling through a now upside down following fleet and the shortened course gun, escaped another swim with the fishes.
Race 6, a need to win race, failed to happen. Gaining the lead only to lose it in the opening 400 meters and unable to up the boat pace and not till he last down hill run to the finish in the first lighter winds of the week meant runners up spot for Jacko and Lorna.
Ozzie and Melissa seemed to be on a back foot having had a good start in the new boat but feeling that the new boys in town Team Graig had won 4 out of every 5 races of late. Jacko’s arrival and long thoughtful talks on the beach saw Ozzie looking a bit more “mean” (not in Ozzie’s nature) making fair starts and having Jacko well sorted and Graig in his grasp taking the lead more than once in races 1 to 4, were looking more the biss. Sadly in the big puff at the end of race 5 it all went titsup. Desperately trying to avoid team Graig splat the duck move directly in his path called for rudder hard to starboard unfortunately the boat did but the rudder did not. The rudderstock now looking like a peeled banana ended Ozzie’s week with a DNF and a DNC
The Ronet’s staring Filf the dog (roving reporter) Ron and Laura had a good week failing to enter the splat the duck competition and Ron’s toe straps not braking (of which the items can now be sent back unused) found life tough but rewarding in the middle of the fleet some way back from the front end Merlins but maintaining a good spirit and cheerful attitude. Laura, a brilliant hard working crew, and always ready to punch out Jacko’s well being in any race was full of encouragement in Jacko big swim…….. Laura being a Pyefleet week virgin stayed the distance (it was quite a distance) and ever cheery finished 14th
The two vintage Merlin (apologies l need more info). On some races time was a long affair and again good blokes sailing well and staying the distance in well built worthy boats.All up a hard but brilliant week hosted by a friendly club for sailors hell bent on having the best of times.