Going to an ISO Europcup: because we went with two boats from the Netherlands we drove together with a trailer with 2 boats on it, when we were leaving I posted a tweet where is said: sailing Europeans you take a totally full Renault espace 2 boats, 3 masts, 3 booms, 3 daggerboards, 3 rudders, 5 gennakers, 3 jibs and 3 mainsails. It was for us almost 15 hours to drive to get to Quiberon.
Calling all ISO crews, if your helm should read this and start moaning please defend my efforts and perhaps sympathise. I was talking to Juliette Daniels the other weekend and she was agreeing with me that if we should ever be asked to do the race report we would have no idea what to put because we have little idea of what other boats are doing. Unfortunately Sticky, who was supposed to write the report, has gone to Bangalore for two weeks and apparently is snowed under with work, he gave me such a sob story that I've been made to feel guilty and offer to write something. I have said I will as long as he doesn't alter or amend it although he is allowed to add something at the end.
We decided to have our nationals this year on Lake Como, home of the italian Laser 4000 fleet, really interesting place wher to sail with conditions that closely math the one of Malcesine (strong wind in the afternoon).
It was a challenge for the class because the iso class there is just starting, but the response was quite good, with 10 isos on the start line (john Mater representing UK with 1179).
5 races, Sun (I had my face and arms burned), winds in the range of 15-18 kts, good hospitality, it is worth having a thought about possible future international event...
Serenity, Sticky and Miss Revitt traveled to Bexhill SC to their Asymmetric open meeting. With no sailing on the Saturday, we made a leisurely, 11am start and took the A27 along the south coast. Bexhill is an Edwardian Seaside town on the Eastern region of the South coast. We arrived around 14.30 and as we wheeled the boat down the ramp from the promenade we were greeted by some of the local sailors who helped us pull the boat to a spot amongst the club boats on the beach.
Read more: Bexhill Asymmetric Open Meeting - Sunday 5th June 2011
The Calshot ISO open meetings are renowned for being very windy and this years event was no exception.
On Saturday the intention was to race to Lymington and back however, with 25+ knots and wind against tide, it was decided to moderate ambition. Instead Cousin Trestec, Pink Poup, Serenity and a club Kestrel attempted a long windward/leeward course to a fixed mark. Bob and Gary in Cousin Trestec didn't make the start after getting splashed and losing all visibility due to spectacle malfunction. With greater experience of sea sailing Pink Poup and Serenity made it up the beat.
The forecast was for very light airs, which we assume accounted for the low turn out for the first event of the season. But would it be a low weekend ?
The promised KGSC welcome took shape with teas, coffees and the bacon butties without which no sailing event would be complete ! Things were already on the right track.
The inland airs strengthened with the rising sun. Clear blue skies and a good F2 Easterly awaited the competitors. Did I say good ? KGSC on Easterlies – famously shifty !!
Read more: ISO/ Buzz Easter Eggon – KGSC - 9th / 10th April 2011
