Round Guernsey Race 2008

    Sailing – Ozannes Cherbourg Race, Saturday 26th July 2008

It was a long haul from St Peter Port to Cherbourg for the six Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club (RCIYC) boats taking part in the Ozannes Cherbourg Race last weekend. The weather forecasters had promised only light winds and their prediction was exactly right – a force two from the northwest was not the most ideal breeze. To make matters even more difficult, the fog came down and all six yachts groped their way slowly northwards trying to find the stronger tidal runs in order to gain some advantage. Blue Jade (A Clark) showed the way at the start off Castle Cornet, together with Glory Days (M Huntley & J Hunt) and Banjaard (J Falla).  The huge cruise liner anchored close to the line dwarfed the yachts as they struggled by, trying to get space and clear air in the Little Russel. Altair (J Frankland) and Haven Gem (J Squires) just squeezed past but the heavier and larger Hurah (D Jeffs) had to tack to get clear. The fog clamped down before the Roustel Beacon had been reached and the yachts were not to see each other again until Cap de la Hague had been rounded after some six hours sailing. All the yachts had found the best tides through the Alderney Race – essential because of the lack of wind and the small neap tides. Consequently, when the fog finally lifted on the north Normandy coast, all the yachts were still relatively close together, all struggling along with spinnakers hoisted but with little or no breeze. Even worse, the tide was turning and progress was painfully slow. Inevitably perhaps, each yacht reluctantly had to retire from racing and it became an engine-on finish for all. Despite the no-result, maybe it was the hospitality of the Cherbourg Yacht Club and Ozannes excellent reception and meal there, which made it all worthwhile for the thirty crew members. The return journey next day was also all under motor but this time in glorious sunshine. At least two boats were seen to anchor in Omonville to wait for the tide at the Cap and one yacht ventured into what is said to be the smallest harbour in France, Port Raccine. An interesting weekend of sailing then – almost a cruising weekend for the RCIYC racing members.

John Frankland

Below

1x j.peg picture – ‘Blue Jade and Glory Days ghosting past the huge cruise liner at the start of the Cherbourg Race’.      Pic by Peter Frankland

 

‘Blue Jade and Glory Days ghosting past the huge cruise liner at the start of the Cherbourg Race.
Picture by Peter Frankland

Sailing

Heritage Group Frostbite – Race Six

The sixth and final race of the Heritage Group Frostbite series, organised by the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club (RCIYC), was sailed in the wintery conditions that are expected for this time of the year. The previous five events had seen anything but these conditions, the weather ranging from flat calm to spring-like breezes. This time, the wind was a cold and testing Force 6 from the south with the usual squalls and stronger gusts – no trace of any sun with the stormy looking low clouds overhead. Twelve yachts in all – six cruisers and six racers – were at the castle start line and all headed into the wind tacking towards Anfre Beacon. Cruisers Dark Horse (M Dunster) and Glenfruin (D Herschel) had some difficulty at the start and both were some minutes late over the line – something that Glenfruin in particular did not want since this boat was expected to feature well in the overall placings. Busker (S McKerrell and B Parkin) led the way for the cruisers, closely followed by Tomahawk (G Wilson) and Saphoenix (G & R Evans). The racers had a good start and it was White Rabbit (S Henning) that led the fleet – this class going on to the Gabriel mark further to the south. Both classes sailed north again as far as Vivian Beacon, with Busker for the cruisers, daring to fly a small spinnaker and enabling her lead to be extended further – despite some problems with the spinnaker gear. The racers meanwhile, hurtled towards Vivian with White Rabbit sailing particularly fast and controlling well the lumpy conditions that were experienced near the mark. The big catamaran Free Radical (M Butterfield)) did not like the difficult windward legs and soon retired. White Rabbit took line honours, crossing the line a full six minutes ahead of the next yacht Dreamtime (R Babbe) but White Rabbit was only to take third place on handicap with Dreamtime down in fifth spot. It was the two RS Elites that made best use of the conditions, Vamoosh (R & R Dorey) taking first place and Israelite (D Aslett) only 17 seconds behind him for second spot. In the cruiser class, both Dark Horse and Haven Gem (J Squires) had to retire, the latter thus missing out on a potential overall win. Busker took line honours and first on handicap after an excellent performance. Saphoenix and Tomahawk were second and third respectively but with only six seconds between those two.

Overall results for the racers showed Vamoosh the outright winner with White Rabbit and Israelite second and third respectively. For the cruisers, Busker clinched top spot on equal points with Tomahawk but fairing better on the count-back. Glenfruin stayed the course and so pipped Haven Gem into third place.

An excellent reception and prize giving in the RCIYC clubhouse had some 70 crewmembers arguing the reasons why they themselves hadn’t won and planning already the tactics for the next Heritage Group winter series.

John Frankland.