Datchet Water Sailing Club

So to the second weekend and races 3 and 4 of the Fireball Fat Burner that is part of the Datchet Winter Warm up.

There were a mixture of boats in our start and we are a similar speed to the Contenders which should be interesting as they have a joint Open start with us next week.

The Scarff craft arrived at the line fashionably late as they became engrossed in the bacon sandwiches that they had for breakfast, usually not recommended but Sunday was another windy one with 18 gusting 28 (FF Report Y&Y, 13/02/2011).

Race 3 day of the FBFB and the Ryders got off to a good start and were leading to the windward mark when Dave got his life jacket tangled up with the main on a tack and the resultant swim meant that they never really caught up.  The first reach was broad and kiteable and the second was a 2 sailer.  The final result was Scarff 1, Ryder 2.

There was quite a wait between races as one of the start sequences was canned with the Postponement Flag going up for a while.

One of the Contenders nailed the line with Scarff and Ryder neck and neck a boat length behind; the Ryders were at the Committee end with Scarff down a little.  The Ryders lead at the windward mark and Scarff had an unfortunate port starboard where the crew remained on the wire during the crash tack with cold wet consequences.

Things got closer and the Scarff flew the kite on the last reach when the Ryders didn’t but they were still ahead at the last beat to the finish, they past behind Scarff just before the finish but the Scarff had an extra tack to do and the Ryders nosed ahead only to have a slow final tack for the committee boat end of the line.  No one could call it on the line and it wasn’t till the results were posted on the web later that evening that it transpired the Ryders had crossed the line one second before the Scarff.

Crews reconvened in the bar with the Scarff sinking pints and the Ryders having forgotten to bring any money as usual.

Topics included Scarffs recent gym regime, the fact that the Ryder crew was half the weight of the Scarff phantom monster and aerobics seemed to figure also.

We are now at the half way point of the FBFB.  Next weekend is races 5 and 6 where we share with the Contender Open and from memory of last year this will be cool as our speeds are very similar.  We look forward to Datchet fleet captain Glen returning from his work trip and to a nice force 3 so the Ryders can get back into the race.  Looking forward to seeing you on the water on the 20th of Feb.