Fall Series - Race 2025-09-20

The race today had predicted winds 20-30 knots from SE with some gusts closer to grief point at 30 knots. We have 8 new crew to go sailing today and though Una and Séance were not present we managed to find a boat for all of them.

One brave skipper did not believe the forecast and started with full sails and had an unpleasant surprise when the winds quickly increased .

We had Tom on Enchantress - an 80 ft boat - at the start mark with only two brave (foolish) racers sailing the 20 foot gap between the anchor chain and the mark on starboard tack.

Bring Ice and Balderdash had excellent starts in 15 knots of breeze and soon after we encountered 25 knots gusts with Balderdash showing how clean their keel was occasionally.

Terry on Solitude retired early due to sailing conditions.

Herbert sailed on Bob's boat and they had some interesting dialogue on the goal of sailboat racing!

Due to a small foresail and reefed main Bring Ice pointed higher and sailed faster to reach the Grief Point mark first with Balderdash close behind. At that point the winds there were gusting close to 30 knots and there was increasing crew and safety concerns so we shortened the course to finish at Willington beach .

Balderdash and Bring Ice already were sailing to E mark so lost some time but Balderdash enjoyed the broad reach hitting 10 knots and overtaking Bring Ice to finish with line honors and Bring Ice finished with win on corrected time.

All boats and crew returned home safe and sound.

Results