Stabbing cold greyness to end Mayandsea Winter sreies

Fleet resilience and durability was put to the test on the final day of the Maylandsea Bay winter series. A stabbing cold greyness carried on the lightest of a northerly breeze penetrated unmercifully.
The overall winners place was still up of grabs with Keith Fedi (Finn) needing two wins to take the series and Jacko and Lorna needing to control the start line and maybe keep Keith out of the number one spot. Martin and Tony (Fireball) winners of races 5 and 6 looked to be under pressure with the winds being a tad light. However, Keith Fedi, although in the dinghy park, failed to sail pulling a sick note and taking no further part, leaving Jacko and Lorna the overall winners.

1st Lady Helm, Ann Dyson

There was genuine disappointment as Keith has won the winter series for the last couple of years.
As the seconds counted down to the start the breeze began to fill in; the fleet split in to the starboard tack boats, close hauled sailing parallel to the line but not able to cross the line, joyfully calling starboard on the port tack boats fetching at speed, ducking and weaving on to the line, but over all, all well behaved. As the starting flag fell it was Mick Wright sailing a Laser that won the start with Malcolm and Tony (Fireball), Jacko and Lorna (Merlin) in close pursuit.

1st Laser Martin Tarling

Following the start the fleet, close-hauled and crossing Maylandsea Bay struggled against strongest tidal flow so far in the series, and as the wind started to fail the starboard tack with the tide on the beam was death. The fleet gradually ran in to a huge hole in the wind approaching the north saltings point heading to race mark 4. This was the end of many competitors’ hopes of discarding a previously gained poor result. The damp bitter cold ate in to the fleet and with a deathly silence saw the leading boats slip away.

Over all runner up Keith Fedi

Nicholas (Phantom) quickly sailed past the Fireballs and Merlins to take the lead, and again appeared un-sure as to where he was sailing let out a few cries for help, but staying close to the north shore and putting in some well timed tacks pulled out a good lead not to be seen again, taking line honours and 1st place with Jacko and Lorna 2nd Laurence (Finn) 3rd; sadly two hours passed before all competitors finished which is a credit to the dogged determination and commitment that the Maylandsea fleet shows to sailboat racing.
The second race of the day was a crash and burn affair. Sailed on a fast ebbing tide in a 3-knot N. breeze. The Maylandsea race box set the short distance course with two rounds to ensure the fleet did not sample the Essex mud.
Jacko and Lorna won the start and with short down hill legs Lorna’s spinnaker work set the pace and with the Fireballs breathing down her neck it was race on. Nicholas would have won the second race, but being a tad late to start Jacko and Lorna took the bullet Nicholas in the Phantom 2nd and Martin and Tony in the Fireball 3rd.
The prize giving was a cheery event, supported with a freebee buffet and drinks at the bar for all competitors, support boat crew and the race box team.
Over all winners Jacko & Lorna

A short number of words were spoken by the sailing sec. Burgees were awarded to the winners and particular thanks were given to Evelyn, Brian, Doreen on a splendid spread and Geoffrey (club treasurer) the pennies. And the much appreciated visitors for there support. It was felt by the sailing committee that something for all the fleet to enjoy would be more beneficial to all rather than more bottleage for the winners (in particular Jacko and Lorna who are helping the local off-license trade fight the rescission); some misunderstanding still left Lorna holding a bottle of cider! All in all the fleet appeared happy and it all went down well (well there was nothing left on the table).

Noteables: The Splat the Duck competition, this year there where three nominations, and in reverse order.
Terri and Paul sailing a Fireball: for a miserably thought out upping of the kite on rounding race mark Jetty on to a reach, (tight reach) total wipe out following heading up too early with the crew trying to set the spinnaker.
Ron and Elizabeth sailing a Merlin: Another total wipe out, spinnaker up on a reach at speed! Ron’s comment was “I felt the plastic grip came off the tiller extension then it all went green!”
But this year’s winner, Mike and Keith sailing a Fireball a truly sad tale, as they reached the Harlow jetty Keith (crew) stepped out of the boat onto the jetty lost grip of the boat the boat sailed off and immediately capsized. With Mike now floating in the water Keith had to make the decision to stay dry or jump in to assist in the recovery. It was a freezing cold day and with a nanno second of thought Keith plunged in. A truly magnificent act of devotion.

freebee buffet and drinks

Not forgetting the Blackwater Icicle on Dec. 28th at 11:30 MBSC will be open, galley open, No Bar, prize giving at HBSC following the race

The next club race day is the post Christmas series, starting on the 11th Jan. and running until Easter

Thanks to Geoffrey Walkley and Peter Freshwater for the photos

Full Results
1st Merlin Rocket Jacko and Lorna 7 points
2nd Finn Keith Fedi 10 points
3rd Fireball Malcolm and Tony 19 points
4th Laser Martin Tarling 26 points
5th Finn Laurence Maudsley 27 points
6th Laser Clive Tarling 30 points
7th GP14 Dave and Kat 34 points

1st Lady Helm14th Laser Radial Ann Dyson 69 points