Wind, wind, wind at the IOM Xerox Ramsey Regatta
Report thanks to Angus Jolly
High winds made their presence felt over the two days of the IOM Xerox Ramsey Regatta, hosted by the Manx Sailing and Cruising Club and held in the superb arena of Ramsey Bay.
The first day’s racing, however, was consigned to the recycle bin after a valiant attempt to start the racing.
After some considerable cajoling, race officer James Bishop, who had seen and more importantly believed the wind forecast, ventured out to start laying out the course aided by the safety boats. Unfortunately, and bang on cue, the wind piped up to a good force six, giving the few who had launched a wild ride and the inevitable capsizes.
Reviewing the situation James wisely decided that with half of the fleet on its side, including those that were still on the beach, to call it a day and send everyone home.
Day two and the forecast was for a much lower wind speed, decreasing through the day. The reality was conditions similar - or in excess of - the previous day, but as it was supposed to decrease the decision was made to go ahead.
Streaks of driven spume covered the entire bay as the fleet of 11 brave souls (8 boats) started race one and hammered it’s way around two laps of a triangular course. The RS400 of Andrew Williams and Tom Cringle were comfortably first round but did not save their time over Angus Jolly and June Collister (RS200) who, after a close ding dong with Andrew Dean and Danny Boyes (RS200) took the win. The two Andrews, (Smiler and Deano) couldn’t be split after the handicaps were applied and were each awarded second. Mike Pridham and Ralph Kee were the first two lasers to finish and would have been well placed for glory had they managed to keep the metalwork pointing skywards!
Race two and the wind had increased to force “officially extremely howling Yessir” and of the five boats that actually started, only three were to finish, two retiring with gear failure. Well if anything was ever going to break, this was certainly the day that it was going to happen! The beats saw mainsails flogging most of the time (Well mine was anyway - Gus!) and reaches a screaming blur of spray. The race was won and lost at the last gybe mark when Mike Pridham’s prudently decided to tack around rather than gybe. The remaining RS200 (Gus and June) were forced, by Mike’s near proximity, into attempting, and pulling off their gybe, which no doubt won them the race. The margin between these two after correction was a mere 12 seconds! Ralph Kee soldiered on finishing shortly afterwards to take 3rd.
After a good fill of pasties, sarnies etc (thanks Lynne and Jill) – and once the Grand Prix had finished! - the Trophy and medals were presented by Mark Corrin of event sponsors IOM Xerox. A heartfelt thanks was given by the competitors to all who had taken part in the race organisation (James and Peter) and to the busy rescue crews (Mike, Mark, Stu, Mike from Laxey, Derek, Donald, Phil and Lesley).
The next event on the MS&CC calendar will be day two of the IT Works series on Sunday 27th July at 10.30.
IOM Xerox Ramsey Regatta results
First overall: Angus & June (1,1), Second: Mike Pridham (4,2), Third: Ralph Kee (5,3), Fourth=: Andrew & Tom / Andrew & Danny (=2nd, DNF), Sixth: Peter Whipp (6,DNS), Seventh: Ben Swindlehurst (7,DNS) Eighth: Anthony Gullan (8, DNS).
First Laser: Mike Pridham
First Junior: Ben Swindlehurst
