Grand day for it, says man who capsized four times

The first day of spring delivered fresh to strong breeze for Round Five of Part Two of the Sunday Taggart’s Icebreaker Series. Similar to last week, rescue teams were kept very busy supporting boats that were being blown over like skittles. Thank you again for keeping our sailors safe and seen on the water.

The southerly wind blew at 18 knots-ish, gusting to 25 knots- ish, with surprisingly flat sea conditions. The boat park was alive with noise- halyards slapping against masts and sheets whipping against hulls- though that racket was minimal compared to the animated debate of “will we, won’t we sail?” that echoed across the boat park. One ILCA sailor made the decisive march back to his car, only to think better of it and return. And why not- all you need is a survival instinct, commitment, and the ability to spot the gusts approaching and depower early: vang, outhaul, downhaul- or kicker, outhaul, Cunningham for those of a certain distinguished generation.

Sailors were sent on three laps of butterfly course four, with all fleets making clean starts for a change. Remarkable scenes.

Only the two RS AERO stalwarts lined up, with Des Magee (RS AERO 6) claiming victory and Sandra Halliwell (RS AERO 5) finishing in second place. The Part Two series is now past the halfway point, with Sandra currently leading by one point. No doubt elbows will be sharpened in the weeks to come. Sandra, ever the gracious competitor, had been busy baking the first prize sweet offering of traybake fifteens- only for Des to announce he doesn’t actually like fifteens. Well then, Des- hand them out.

The Fast Handicap fleet consisted of one RS 400 and one Melges 15, both making fast but measured approaches to the start line. However, the RS 400 attempted to occupy a gap that simply wasn’t there, resulting in several rule infringements and the requirement to complete 720° penalty turns, which were executed in a remarkably controlled manner given the blustery conditions. This delay handed Paddy Oliver and Diane Nelson (Melges 15) clean air, of which there was plenty. David Fletcher and Ryan Smith (RS 400) recovered well to secure second place. The Melges 15 recorded a gloriously hair-raising maximum speed of 19.6 knots on one of the downwind legs.

Four ILCA 6s took to the start line, with Jonny Cully taking the top step, Emma Pierce in second and Jess Winton in third. Emma’s battens had made a bid for freedom in the boat park before racing, and she was fortunately assisted in reuniting them with her sail. The delay left her late to the start line, making her second place finish all the more impressive. A fine result despite the pre-race drama.

Eighteen ILCA 7s started the race, with only one failing to finish. Colin Leonard once again claimed first place, with Conor Simms in second and Hammy Baker in third. The battle for podium positions remains fierce at the halfway stage of the series, with just two points separating each position between Colin, Hammy and Conor in that order. James Turner had an unfortunate capsize right beside the start boat during the starting sequence-precisely the wrong moment and precisely the wrong location. Timing, as they say, is everything.

Aaron Moore finished first in the fleet of one in the Topper race. His father Ian had been concerned that the strong wind conditions might aggravate Aaron’s hand injury- however it appeared to have no negative impact whatsoever during the race. Well sailed, Aaron.

Ed Winton claimed first place in the Whiskey Cup fleet, which is perhaps unsurprising given he was 250 metres shy of the start line when the horn blasted. Rumour from behind the clubhouse window also suggests that Ed honoured a proud family tradition by capsizing at precisely the same location as his daughter earlier in the race. Solidarity.

Mackey’s Opticians Mug of the Day was not awarded, as there were no worthy recipients refreshing themselves in the bar afterwards. The presenter declined to award the prize to a giggling culprit who cheerfully acknowledged he had raced without entering- something he has promised to rectify next week, if only to avoid another tongue-lashing from the registered sailers. You know who you are, bummer.

A reminder to all sailers who have been participating in races without registering- please do so before taking to the water. Registered entry is essential for fair, safe and well-managed racing. Unregistered participation impacts fellow competitors, the scoring crew and the rescue team. Your cooperation to do the right thing is expected and greatly appreciated.

A huge and heartfelt thank you to all onshore and offshore volunteers,  without whom none of this organised sailing would be possible.

From the depths of sailing knowledge:

1. The Cunningham control- found on virtually every racing dinghy in the world, was invented not by a sailmaker, a naval architect, or an Olympic champion, but by a man who was primarily famous for racing cars and once entered Le Mans. So every time a club sailer at Ballyholme yanks on their downhaul before the start of a gusty southerly race, they are unknowingly paying tribute to an American millionaire! 🤨
2. The ILCA- described by some as the world’s most popular racing dinghy- was designed in 1969 by Bruce Kirby on a napkin at a boat show during a conversation about building a simple, cheap single-hander. It went on to become an Olympic class for over 50 years. Proof, if it were needed, that the greatest ideas in sailing arrive on napkins.