Round The Island Race Sheppey 2022
Published 21:39 on 29 Aug 2022
Herne Bay Sailing Club B team braved the Bridge and entered into the Isle of Sheppey Sailing club round the island race on Saturday 28th August.
The Team was made up of Karl and Jonathan in the 4000, Michael and Sam in the 29er, Olaf and Russell, Jo and Laurie both in 2000's.
A spinnaker rigging hitch 6 minutes before the start, as the 2000 was about the launch meant that team Laurie and Jo were most efficient and got to the start line just in time for the starting gun, and unlike Russell and Olaf who launched in plenty of time to have a capsize drill prior to the start. Olaf, being unfamiliar with the 2000, assumed that the tiller was naturally feeling like wading through seaweed, discovered 4 miles in that his rudder was not all the way down. Michael and Sam, starting half an hour after the 2000's, crossed the line on time, going fast (as usual), closely followed by Jonathan and Karl, 10 minutes later.
It only took 6 miles for Michael and Sam to cream past the 2000's, off they went into the horizon, never to be seen again, reaching speeds in excess of 20 knots. Not even their parents could keep up with them who were desperately trying to track them in the car (which was on the land).
The first beat was approx 6 miles, most of which was on one tack, bashing through 4 foot waves. Pins and needles and muscles cramps had to be ignored in the effort to keep the boat flat and to sail as quickly as possible past Leysdown, for fear of being abducted by local pirates.
Turn right into the Swale, we could breathe a sigh of relief to move bum cheeks into the centre of the boat to hoist the spinnakers. Planing galore! Except for Karl and Jonathon who, due to a broken trapeze wire, who could only fly their kite on one tack so they could only zig (their zag was more of a wobble). Olaf and Russel felt the need to check the bottom of their boat on the spinnaker run, it all appeared fine so decided to keep it upright for the rest of the race, with the exception of the bridge where a compulsory capsize was required by all.
Just before the bridge, Laurie and Jo were desperetly trying to stay in front of a herd of moroding catamarans, who were bearing down on them like lions to their prey. Sadly, catamarans pipped them to the bridge. However, catamarans as it turns out are harder to capsize when stationary than a 2000 and places were regained, plus a quick wave hello to team Dyer shore support crew injected fire in the belly to push on through to the end (not withstanding the centre board and rudder having a quick conversation with the sea floor at Queenborough). The 4000 and the 29er sensibly stayed in the deeps as they were armed with dagger boards. The 4000 took the opportunity to fix their trapeze wire at the bridge, alongside having a picnic. This allowed them to fly like an albatross rather than a 1 winged pigeon.
The second half of the course saw flatter waters but shifty and gusty conditions, fully testing out skills in reading tell-tales.
Herne Bay Siling Club B team plan to return next year with an even bigger contingent. Recruiting now.
Last updated 08:25 on 9 May 2023