Naneen finishes DBSC Tuesday season on a high !
Final DBSC Tuesday Race 27 August 2024 Race Report
The season seem to go so fast, and it was with surprise tinged with sadness that the final Tuesday racing snuck up on all this week. A full crew was scheduled however fell slightly short on the evening with 19 members turning up. There was initial trepidation that the dreaded sailing cancelled would be called especially as it was a lively evening both with wind and sea however the adults in the room were happy to let all out to play albeit in reefed conditions which proved to be an excellent call.
Winds were high teens SE gusting up to 25kts and possibly higher at times with a lively sea state, as someone remarked in the club afterwards “…we found a few pot holes out there..”
High tide was 18.51 giving an ebb tide throughout the reasonably short race with latest finish time back to 20.30 as is customary for last midweek season races. The OOD provided a 4 mark course, N4, from red start line - Vp, Cs, Hs, Xp, (Pier, Sea Point, Harbour, and Turning).
As usual it was a mixed fleet start with Glens squibs and shipman’s so had about 10 boats on the start line. While the Glens fought for prime line position and in doing some were deemed over the line, the four Twentyones got a clean start spread along the line on a fetch out to Pier.
Naneen was out closest to the Pin end with Geraldine, Estelle and Garavogue inside her in the order. Estelle seemed to have the best start fetching the mark and slightly ahead of Geraldine to her leeward and clear ahead of Garavogue who was more windward. The start of the ebb tide made for a lumpy sea and wind coming over the pier was subject to some vagaries. Passing the open harbour mouth provided cleaner wind and Garavogue heeling well over, deck awash made very good speed closing in on Estelle and with strong concentration from the 4 crew they edged their way past Estelle to windward claiming 1st place around Pier.
Estelle followed closely with Naneen, making great speed with her newly antifouled bottom despite having to tack twice to make the mark rounded just ahead on Geraldine with little between the fleet.
It was a broad port reach to Sea point with the earlier fleets pointing the way. Garavogue in front was the pathfinder but very soon Estelle commenced her challenge for position sailing higher to windward with speed seeking to pass out Garavogue by blanketing the wind. Garavogue took the challenge and sailed higher to protect her position albeit neither boat was not aiming directly for the mark. Naneen however now had a clear path to sail the course directly posing a risk to the leaders with Geraldine a little behind. Matters continued thus up the leg with Estelle and Garavugue keep close table on each other sailing a high course with Naneen and Geraldine surfing the waves on a thrilling broad reach.
Approaching Sea Point both Garavogue and Estelle took advantage of their higher position to tack to starboard clearly early hoping to gain some advantage in the final run in. Estelle still maintained the windward position on Garavogue however now having tacked this was the favoured side closer to the pin therefore full rights over boats to leeward. However, It was Naneen who rounded in pole position ahead of Estelle as the 3 leaders rounded in tight formation with Geraldine still a little further back.
On the beat back to Harbour with Naneen and Estelle immediately in front on Starboard, Garavogue tacked to port to break away and gain clean air. Shortly after Estelle followed suit leaving Naneen to her own devices. Both tacks had the benefit of ebb tide so which would pay off better. Estelle while initially still controlling Garavogue seem to lose her concentration a little allowing Garavogue to regain the upper hand and continued to work the wind and waves hard for every advantage to beat Naneen to Harbour mark. It was a close run thing but Naneen maintained the upper hand rounding in the lead with Garavogue about 3 or 4 boat lengths behind. Estelle was still in third place but had slipped back a little while Geraldine was some way behind.
The Close reach to Harbour didn’t present any opportunities for positional change and the status quo remained other than the gaps narrowed between all boats but not sufficient for a serious challenge on the leg. Coming round harbour for the final fetch home Naneen held on a little before tacking for the hut. Garavogue just behind took a similar approach sailing deeper inshore before tacking for the line slightly to windward but still clear behind Naneen. Meanwhile Estelle viewing her leading competitors decided to tack immediately at the mark and in doing so further narrowed the gap on Garavogue getting within challenging distance. However, while close it was not enough and, while the gap was measured in seconds, the final result was as follows:
Final result
1. Naneen
2. Garavogue
3. Estelle
4. Geraldine
Naneen’s recent fresh antifoul and obviously canny experienced crew carried the day finishing on a high after a poor season of podium finishes. Being the last race of the season the sun is lower in the sky and the crews were chasing the falling light as they made their way ashore for much awaited refreshments.
The DBSC mid-week season is now officially over however DBSC Saturday Racing and Sunday Sails will continue as normal throughout September.
As is
customary the DBSC hut signalled a parting season message as below
Separately to DBSC we have 2 mid-week races next week with the National end of season race on Thursday 5th September followed by the ‘George EOS on the following evening, Friday 6th. Both are really fun events for the members of the respective clubs. As our membership is spread across the waterfront, the Twentyones are privileged to in each with respective club members taking lead roles for the occasion. Both races will be followed with sailing suppers in the host club and prizes will be awarded. Already there is a strong interest in the NYC races with 22 participants however there are still places available for Fridays RSGYC race so all are encouraged to consider this great sailing opportunity in plans.