Sailing The Blackwater: Blackwater Icicle 2008

As the deep red glow from the rising sun appeared on the skyline it reflected off the river and its back waters like a ribbon of glowing lava under a clear cold blue sky; one had the feeling that it was to be a good day to be on the Blackwater. Maylandsea Bay S.C. greeted the gathering fleet

with open arms, pushing out bacon sarnies and tea, with the Sandhopper fleet once again manning the support boats and the race box. Bill Wright being the principal race officer looked at the fleet of thirty plus boat and opted for a committee boat start off of Lawling point at the bottom of the bay. The fleet presented itself to the line and made a bang on start on the end of a soft flooding tide (well all except Jacko and Lorna who on being too early at the pin end bumped along a N12 backed off for a second go, now on port, took bunny pie from the laser fleet tacked off, hit the pin mark did the turn and eventfully joined in). The fleet made light work of the windward leg into a 8 to 12 knot westerly breeze passing the submerged remains of the spit and round the race mark at the top of the bay. There then followed a long run back across the bay and down Lawling creek. It’s not a very user friendly venue for the asymmetric sail plan with a need to optimise down hill angels, but on this day things were looking good as the soft tide did not eat up the boat speed. As the fleet spread out and rounded Doctor navigation mark off Osea Island for the windward leg to Coopers race mark, a rather one sided affair, the race was well on the way to being sorted followed by a grimly tight three sail reach back to Lawling creek. The Solo’s and Laser’s suffered against the strengthening ebb of tide taking a time loss passing Lawling point and race mark 4 and as

the saltings gained height the race was over.
The fleet as a whole were the winners on the day having had the pleasure of a sail in sun and a pleasant breeze and for Piers and Peter, the race winners in a B14, the smiles at the prize giving said more than the words. In second place was Tyler Harmsworth in a Phantom and as he rocked his way past two Fireballs on the run out to Steeple he made Neil Fultcher look like a child of God who hardly rocked at all; shame on those of us that did not protest. Gareth Davies sailed an excellent race, starting well and leading at the first mark using the tide and finding a good race line, it is noted that he beat he odds that fast boats travel further in the wrong direction.
Notables: Race team Maldon had a good day with Dean and Rob finishing 6th in a Hornet, and Alex in a Blaze starting well followed by some pretty nippy boat work on the windward legs, with other team members making their presence felt, especially in the club bar.

Race team Blackwater, lead by Gareth (Musto Skiff) chased by slippery pole expert Nigel Sheppard (Fireball) supported by Martin, sadly not a great ballers day, but if it is the right day it’s the wrong course! Brian Sargeant toughing it out with Mickey Wright (Laser) a hard fought battle over the distance as 1st Laser and 12th over all.
Leigh-on-sea, race team Laser. Not an easy race for the Laser fleet but all finished.
Dave Islin: who slept in, then blamed a badly worded advertising poster for missing the start.
As a home club competitor I would like to thank all the visitors for their support. The club Sandhopper fleet for time spent in preparing for this event and on the day. The ladies in the Galley, for making it a better day.