Autumn Junior Championship - review
Published 10:50 on 5 Nov 2024
Day 1 - Forecast light airs. With an early dim and damp start to the autumnal morning with no time for any breeze to develop, just 3 knots on the pontoon! Off went Jonny H to Thorney shore to check on the breeze, returning with the words "if this is the best days forecast then go for it". With time already lost with a delayed launch, boats were towed over to the course area, with race 1 getting away some 30 minutes behind schedule, for a simple triangle course. The race team managed to fit in 3 short, although certainly not exhilarating, races; the light airs posing a challenge to some sailors, others managing to link together the 'cats paws', avoiding the wind holes, to pull out substantial leads, only to get caught again, there were some very close finishes across the fleets.
Day 2 - We have wind! Wednesday started with a steady northeasterly, which held through the day, making for an ideal day afloat.
Three races completed, multiple leaders, multiple winners, with some very tight racing throughout. To add a little extra thinking for crews, the pin end mark was moved for each race applying line bias to see who was checking their start strategy, that gave some mixed results! At the end of day two, the top of the fleets are tight on points and any ones regatta to win on the final day.
Day 3 - Deja vu . waiting on the wind! The lightest breeze of the championship with just over 3 knots on the mill pond wall; many a race officer would have cancelled, but with ribs afloat and crews to hand and competitors willing to have a go, we went afloat.
With some boats towed out to the race area, after a short postponement we got under way; but sadly, with two short races in the bag and the third under way when the wind that was, finally died leaving no choice but to finish under 'S' with just a short single lap completed.
After 3 days of light airs racing and results in, the top of each fleet is was incredibly tight; 3 fleets won by a single points difference, whilst the 4th fleet just 2 points.
Congratulations to; Regatta fleet Tobias. Oppi fleet Felix , Tera fleet Ella and Open fleet, Theo and EJ.
Full results available on the web site.
Well, that's the last of the Junior Racing from me for 2024; 4 Championships, 14 days of racing scheduled; 4 days lost due to weather, but 28 races competed. As the race officer afloat on Escort throughout, I have to say it's been a very enjoyable and rewarding season. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all those who helped aboard Escort, crewed ribs, ran the tallies/beachmaster, helped on the terrace & slipways, our junior coordinator and event organisers and to our Bosun Nigel, for keeping all the kit in working order to support these events.
A great season, THANK YOU ALL, see you on the water in 2025.
Rob, Hailey, Matt and Brian
