Page 18 - Yachter Autumn 2024

18 RACING
RACE PRACTICE DAY
Evidently a Port Rounding
The 3rd Race Practice Day was held on Saturday 27th April, in the area of 3S – Team O.
The day is organised to hone racing skills and crew drills at the beginning of the Season; starts, mark rounding, spinnaker and general boat handling skills.
The day consists of three practice starts finishing at the windward mark, two windward/leeward races and a short, Round- the-Cans race to finish.
The Commodore, Guy Darby and his crew, Zoë Darby and Remy the dog, run racing from their Contessa 32, Ripple of Kyle. The Committee boat was situated to the north east of Lepe Spit, out of the main tide and shipping lanes.
Unlike last year, it was not a hot day, but under the clouds patches of blue were seen! The fleets were split in two with a sizable fleet of Contessa 32s starting first and the Handicap Fleet second.
To start with fleets were “line shy” but as the day went on, starts became more competitive.
After 10 starts, the wind was dying, so instead of a final Round-the-Cans race, a last windward/leeward race with a downwind finish for both fleets bought the total to 12 starts. Not bad going for a Race Management Team of 2!
By this time the Committee dog felt it
was time to return to Gins! A thoroughly enjoyable start to the racing season. Come and join in 2025.