Sailing The Blackwater: Maylandsea Bay Frosty series

Grey skies and a solid 10 knots from the S.W. greeted the runners and riders on the last race day in the Maylandsea Bay Frosty series. It was written in the seaweed that it was to be a last race cliffhanger and with the Race Box now in the hands of Geoffrey Walkley who summed up the conditions, eyed the gathered competitors and set a fair course around the cans in the Lawling creek. There (as is the way) was some banter as to who needed to do what to win the series.

To the left sailing logic:

And with approx. two hundred and something years of sailing wisdom in the leading boats rattling around the top of the slipway, reverse tactical logic and an adjustment of sailing clothing failed to prevent another wickedly poor start from some of the fleet leaders. However it was Dean and Rob (younger blokes) that won the start. The following fleet rounded mark 0 overlapped, with Martin (Laser) well placed on the inside. The fleet quickly split with Martin and Nigel (Fireball) leading around the marks in the Bay and out to Steeple Point. The windward leg back up Lawling Creek and into the Bay was spiced up with the wind backing, only to head steadily towards the top. Jacko, this week crewed by Alan Wigg, slowly sorted their way through to take the bullet.
However, it was Martin in the Laser who badgered away and stayed in the race two finish 2nd and 4th overall. A very worthy result putting Martin and Dean who had been swapping places throughout the race on equal corrected time in 3rd place.

The last race was not to be lost. A keen start was had by all, with Jacko and Al Wigg rounding the first mark, hotly pursued by Martin and Nigel. Martin gained an overlap, only to see Jacko break clear on the upping of spinnakers and jibe inside at mark 1. It was race on. It all slipped away for Jacko and Al as Martin and Nigel upped the pace on the reaching legs out to Mundon navigation mark and back to Steeple Creek, following exercises in farming carried out on the submerged salting at the head of Steeple creek.

To the left Al Wiggs return:

It would appear that lifting rudder blades are not as efficient at digging up lugworms as fixed blades, although it appears that it encourages the helm to have two goes at gathering more worms, whereas a boat resting on it’s nose and rudder blade seems to have a greater deterrent and really gets the crew actively involved watching for grass in the water.

To the right: Martin and Nigel, having regained the lead on corrected time in Lawling Creek were not to be messed with again and took the bullet. But sadly the 3rd placing in the penultimate race cost them the series to be 2nd overall.
For Dean and Rob in the Hornet time just ran out, finishing 2nd on the water and 3rd on corrected time and 3rd in the series, but being able to mix it with the fireball and breaking clear of the Merlin they just needed a couple more races to sort the competition out.
For Jacko and Al Wigg! The words “I should be so lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky” rang out around the men’s changing room (and where was Legs) and what of the Jacko jam pot.

To the left Rger details with beer mats how the capsize occurred: Notables: Roger, crewed by Dave, had a good go at robbing Peter of the Splat The Duck Competition putting in a marvellous capsize just off Lawling point ending with the mainsail in the trees on the shore. But no worries, Peter kept up a full round of steady duckings all through the series and was not really touchable and won by a short swim and a backwards roll.
Sailboat racing is alive and well in Maylandsea Bay with many sailors returning year after year much too the appreciation of the club elders who maintain the club and it’s facilities for the benefit of us all. The sight of Len Wright pulling pints behind the club bar and the gentle encouragement given to Jacko on how to put more string into a Merlin is warming to the heart.
A programme of “friendly” sailing in company around race marks in Maylandsea Bay is being put together to help new sailors join in club events and details and help can be found at the club or contact Alan Jackson.