Chew Valley Multigala 2007

Blessed with a beautiful spring weekend has distinct disadvantages for Buzz sailors – a potential absence of wind…

With a forecast of very light winds, the conversation amongst the early arrivals at CVLSC for the L4k,ISO & Buzz Open meeting was when (and if) the wind would fill in for racing.- Chew lake looked eerily calm – a sight not witnessed by the Buzz fleet on three previous visits! After an hour of boat tuning, chatting and even a little bit of sunbathing, the inevitable postponement was lifted in time for a 2pm start. 15 Buzzes eagerly jostling behind the committee boat.

Race 1 saw Jane and Mark (Buzz 1027) take a flyer off the pin end giving them a commanding lead at the windward mark. Stuart and Zoe (Buzz 763) and Joe and Chris (Buzz 973) fought it out for second and third while the chasing pack tested their light down wind sailing technique to the full. Mike and Josh (Buzz 585) and Jon and Richard (Buzz 720), having made a great start behind 1027 dropped back as the fluky winds took their toll, allowing Roger and Penny (Buzz 987) to secure a fourth place, closely followed by Ari and Andy (who - were sporting the new Hyde Sails) and Michael and Katie (Buzz 1002) from Emsworth Slipper

Race 2 had everyone weighing up which end of the line to start each crew well aware of the constantly shifting winds. 987 approached the middle of the line at speed and made a start that gave them the lead at the windward mark - only to lose it by the leeward mark to the superior downwind sailing of 973 and 763. Jostling in the remainder of the fleet saw Candice and Bryan (Buzz 590) steal a place by less than a boat length over fellow Roadford team Jean and Jude (Buzz 859). Jean-Paul Indoe and Matt Desmond (Buzz 591) overhauled 585 with Elliot and Tony (Buzz 520) bravely bringing up the rear in the very testing conditions.

Race 3 proved to be the most difficult with the wind still undecided as to whether it was going to play or not. The line was more crowded as helms became less ‘line-shy’ but those who took the bottom end quickly got gassed by the fleet of L4Ks reaching to the leeward mark in a very tight pack, allowing those at the top end to get away cleanly leading to a complete change of positions at the windward mark, allowing 859, 590 and Mark and Jon (Buzz 846) to really show their metal. Although it felt as though the wind was improving, frustrating holes and surprising ‘gusts’ appeared. Ari and Andy chose the previously unfavourable side of the course downwind and sailed to the leeward mark (and eventual ‘victory’) half a leg in front of the rest of the fleet.

Everyone else was uncharacteristically ‘bunched’ behind them with mild chaos ensuing again at the leeward gate marks. With winds continually shifting, upwind positions behind Ari and Andy changed again with 973 and 763 eventually coming out on top with 1027, 720 1002 and 987 in very close succession across the line. A good days racing was followed by a great evening at the clubhouse with fantastic food (sponsored by Wet & Windy) followed by entertainment and excellent beer at club prices! This led to a very late night for some and a few foggy heads next morning!

Unluckily (or perhaps luckily for those with ‘heads’) the conditions on Sunday were not good. The wind did not fill as it had on Saturday and following lots of very helpful pro-am discussions in the boat park, and an anticipation of some even closer tussles on the race course, the day’s racing was abandoned with Saturday’s results standing. Joe and Chris Crabb came out on top in 973, Stuart and Zoe were second in 763 followed by Jane and Mark in 1027. Congrats to all – a challenging day’s racing that finished rather well!!

Thanks are due to CVLSC, Wet & Windy and Butcombe for their hospitality, organisation and sponsorship. It was great to see such a big turnout for the first event of the season and thanks are due to all those who travelled to make the event so enjoyable – nice to see new faces in the fleet – lets all meet again at Downs in May!

Report by - Roger Eyre Buzz 987

Results

Full Results