SUNDAY was the first race of season 2023 in RSC’s 90th anniversary year, writes Ian Symonds.
In 1933 when Guy Chamberlin and Douglas Vessey asked a few friends if they would like to sail together did they ever imagine that in ninety years their idea would have become a major force in dinghy sailing?
They did of course start in Restronguet Creek but in 1962 the move was made to the current location just south of Mylor Harbour but retaining the original name.
Sunday’s forecast was promising and delivered a cool, cloudy but favourably windy day. Wind speed was consistently at 15 but gusting to 20 knots; however, sailors were very happy with these conditions and Race Officer Tony Martin’s course setting.
Tony had clearly done his homework from the sheets of course ideas so that once we got ‘Oyster’ in the area preferred the marks were dropped and racing started on time. In an almost perfect manner the races lasted a tidy 45 minutes or so and sailors were off the water completely just before the rain set in.
In racing conditions that might have challenged younger sailors, it was superb to be able to see and to say that brother Huw and younger sister Alex Beverley-Jones both crewed in Mirrors with older helms and were thrilled with their own head-to-head.
Alex came out with a two-to-zero result but certainly, that’s going to be a season-long competition; thanks to Martin Egan and Florence Luxton for helming these marvelous youngsters.
Twenty-four dinghies went out in this first race; seven turbo fleet including two Waszps crewed by Henry Hallam and Will Symonds; a Contender in the fast fleet; six Lasers who enjoyed a real tussle; three Aeros, one Laser II and a Europe in the medium fleet; one Dart; one RS200 and three Mirrors.
All listed here simply to show the range of dinghies at the club and to illustrate that we have the magnificent space of Carrick Roads to host such a range. We hear there are more Moths and Waszps lurking in Cornish waters, as once said in an old quiz show ‘come on down’.
Our Laser fleet is very strong currently and the results from last year and the first race this year show that the established sailors are going to have to be on good form every week.
Standard rigs (ILCA7) may have been quicker on the water but after handicaps were applied for the radial (ILCA6) and 4.7 (ILCA4) rigs Poppy Luxton won the day in her ILCA6.
Welcome to Livvy and Rafa joining this fleet both within close finishes to the leading two boats. The Laser gauntlet has been thrown down this year and we hope for some brilliant racing.
Wednesday racing begins on the 19th April so with that bit more daylight we also hope for some great evenings on the water.
Sunday next week, the 16th, with a forecast currently looking pretty favourable is open to anyone who fancies their chances in a club enjoying 90 years of age celebrations.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here