sailed back down the lake we met Bernard leading the rest of the fleet, who had now crossed the line and begun their race in earnest. Running down to the buoy Dave and Pete kept wide in the middle of the lake in a search of more wind. I decided to risk straying closer to the lee shore in order to take a more direct route and my tactic paid off, landing me in the lead. Again positions were close, and Dave and Pete followed around three boat lengths behind.
As I rounded the final mark I had a decision to make. Tack immediately and risk sailing the lay line on a close-hauled course to the finish buoy, or continue on the tack I was on for a while and tack later? The latter option seemed safer as it would offer some insurance against the risk of a heading wind shift, but it also took me closer to the windward shore where I suspected there might be a hole in the wind. So a direct course it was. The wind started to fluke around and I began to get a sinking feeling. Dave loves sailing wind shifts and it wasn't long before he had used them to get ahead of Pete and myself. As we neared the line it became apparent that I was in a position to pinch across the line while Dave was to leeward of me and would need to make a tack, Dave tacked, I closed the gap a little, I shouted 'starboard', forcing Dave into another tack. I closed the gap a little further. I held my breath, Dave pinched, time stood still, and then the horn blew for White Rose Dave and then again for me 2 seconds later. Pete was only seconds behind me and Dave P. not far behind that.
The rest of the fleet arrived in similarly close bunches with Bernard narrowly gaining fifth place over Chris and Wally, and Rod, who was sailing a PBK, finishing just in front of John and Graham. Mention must also be made of Paul and Renate who sailed around the course with a remarkable turn of speed despite having three people in their Penobscot 16.
The Soar Valley Trophy
In the interest of trying something new we decided that instead of splitting the sailing/paddling race into two distinct sections, we would try allowing sailing and paddling at the same time. The effect was to make the race a simple matter of seeing who could move their boat around the course as quickly as possible using any wind or human powered technique they chose. PeterB's Wharram Melanesia, propelled by crab claw and paddle, proved to be the fastest canoe on the water, finishing with a good lead and proving to be a very efficient boat when paddled and sailed at the same time. Most of the rest of the fleet decided to opt for a combination of sailing with sailing and paddling. As the lulls arrived and paddles were brought into play, it was noted that most people's ability to set their sails properly was affected quite dramatically by trying to paddle. So much so in fact that PeteH kept up with us all despite not using his paddle at all.
After the tense race in the morning it has to be said that some of the fleet, despite trying hard to win, were perhaps guilty of some frivolity in the afternoon. So much so in fact that when DaveP earnestly shouted "water" as he approached a mark, his request was met with a bucket full of water thrown in his direction. Dave's face at first blackened, and then broke into a smile. Thanks for being such a good sport Dave, particularly as I suspect it cost you a couple of places in the race.
Although I wasn't there, my impression is that Rutland, like Rother Valley, attracted more than the 'usual' (for want of a better word) members as well as non-members. Whilst I prefer to sail in the glorious Lakes and Scotland, meets further south seem to cater for a wider range of participants. - Ed.
Adding A Jib - Boost! (JohnB)
I have received two articles recently from our commodore concerning the advantages of adding a jib to our rigs - Ed.
We seem to spend most of our time these days sailing in either an F4 or almost a flat calm, and the latter seems to predominate. There doesn't seem to be much in-between and if present climatic trends continue it could become the norm. Under these conditions one often barely has steerageway; it's about as interesting as watching paint dry. What we need is a bit of extra boost.
To raise an idea that we perhaps have discussed before, why don't we allow a bit of extra sail, even if only for light conditions?
The easiest sail to fit retrospectively would be a jib, perhaps 20-25 sq. ft., which would give us something like 50% increase in sail area. Most boats could accommodate this, the leech would be rather shorter than the main and one can get just about sufficient sheeting angle (12 degrees) on an open boat for it to be useful. The forestay tension would be low but as this is essentially a light wind sail this need not be too much of a problem.
The use of such extra sail could be at the discretion of the race officer, say perhaps below F3. Of course if, during the race, the wind speed rises then it is up to the competence of the crews to decide whether to hang on or take it in.
This is only a very small development, so don't let us get too excited about it, but it would improve our performance in the lower speed range, make this area of sailing more interesting and give us a new sail to learn to manage.
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