Burghfield Winter Series day 5

[Jeremy C]

Last weekend saw the 5th day of the BSC winter series, and what has more or less become the norm for the series, the wind picked up, veered round to the south and got a little bit on the gusty and shifty side!
With the forecast ranging from between 18-23Knots with gusts of 35 and an air temperature of 2-5 degrees it was little surprise that some people decided to stay at home!
However, four boats made it to the start line, Sam and Fiona (who were in Geneva at 6am that morning!), Bim and Clare, Caroline and Sam and ourselves ready to battle on a figure of eight course across the lake. The line was pin-end biased, and the first beat mercifully short, but as we all came into the windward mark it became a lottery to round it as the wind swung wildly under the lee of the shore. Sam and Fiona got there first with Caroline close on their heels and Bim not too far behind. We meanwhile were some way back having had a few problems getting on the right shift at the mark, but a lucky reach enabled us to catch up significantly before the next mark. A second beat at the bottom of the lake was slightly less frustrating than the first and positions remained unchanged as we all headed back up the lake on another exhilarating reach. By the time we got to the end of the first lap we had managed to sail under Bim in a lucky gust and Caroline was lining herself up to attack Sam. Eventually she got past on the next windward leg and from there the battle ensued! Both Sam and Caroline were nip and tuck throughout the race with the wind continuing to gust wildly and with some serious strength.
It was on lap four that things went a little bit pear-shaped, Sam had got ahead of Caroline again and then got hit by a huge gust whilst on a reach. Its quite an impressive sight (though not one you want to experience I might add) to see a twelve nosedive and cartwheel and unsurprisingly came as a bit of a shock to Sam and Fiona. Bim also got hit by a similar wind and had a slightly less dramatic swim. Both retired leaving Caroline, who had seen the gust hit Sam and managed to de-power before sailing into it, and ourselves to complete the fifth and final lap with energy levels sapping all round.

Sam and Fiona decided not to go out in the afternoon, perhaps the jet lag kicked in! and this became the general consensus from all of us as we watched the wind build over lunch!
So though it was very challenging conditions again, some good racing was had and the balcony crowd inevitably had their entertainment! Sorry ... no video this week!
With one day left in the series to go it would be great to see a good bunch (or should it be a gaggle!?) of Twelves make it to the start line, where hopefully the wind will be westerly and the temperature a touch warmer!