Footy Racing 2014
Fleet Captain :- Mike Stevenson
23rd September 2014
A quite variable South Westerly greeted eleven members and two guest sailors who sailed a triangle and sausage course. Stand out of the afternoon was Roger (13) sailing his yet unnamed own design boat for the first time. His worst position - 6th - was largely due to a temporary entanglement with A.N.Other. The next three positions were hotly contested with Graham (40) seemingly not up to his usual form. Great excitement from Brian with his fourth in race 3. It looked as if he was in danger of going for a swim. Hard luck story of the afternoon was Dave (95) whose boat sprung a serious leak with consequent water in the electrics.
Thanks to Clive for keeping order, boat men Rob and Mark, and Rob again for tea. (MS)
A quite variable South Westerly greeted eleven members and two guest sailors who sailed a triangle and sausage course. Stand out of the afternoon was Roger (13) sailing his yet unnamed own design boat for the first time. His worst position - 6th - was largely due to a temporary entanglement with A.N.Other. The next three positions were hotly contested with Graham (40) seemingly not up to his usual form. Great excitement from Brian with his fourth in race 3. It looked as if he was in danger of going for a swim. Hard luck story of the afternoon was Dave (95) whose boat sprung a serious leak with consequent water in the electrics.
Thanks to Clive for keeping order, boat men Rob and Mark, and Rob again for tea. (MS)
26th August 2014
Quite challenging conditions for our ten competitors with at times a quite strong and gusty easterly wind, however good racing was had on an elongated triangular course.
Graham (40) stuck with one rig and was able to cope (most of the time!) to be a comfortable winner. The next three places could have been in any order really. Mark (55) just didn't quite get it together on this occasion and Robin (38) had his moments but seemed to fade towards the end of a race. Dave (31) racing his Pool Shark for the first time, found his only rig too large for the conditions.
Thanks to Clive for keeping order, Graham and Mark for boat duties, and as always, Ian for the refreshments.
MS
Quite challenging conditions for our ten competitors with at times a quite strong and gusty easterly wind, however good racing was had on an elongated triangular course.
Graham (40) stuck with one rig and was able to cope (most of the time!) to be a comfortable winner. The next three places could have been in any order really. Mark (55) just didn't quite get it together on this occasion and Robin (38) had his moments but seemed to fade towards the end of a race. Dave (31) racing his Pool Shark for the first time, found his only rig too large for the conditions.
Thanks to Clive for keeping order, Graham and Mark for boat duties, and as always, Ian for the refreshments.
MS
29th July 2014
We managed to catch up with our 2014 racing schedule with a cooler day than of late with a good north east to northerly wind producing some interesting racing over a triangular course. Graham (40) was a comfortable winner in the end although it didn't seem like that at the time. He was fairly well down the fleet at times only to come good at the end where it mattered. Allan (96) sailed very consistently with just the odd mistake keeping him from the top. Sid (05) was sailing his new to him Iambus design with a swing rig which showed great promise on downwind runs managing to be controllable in the gusts and not digging the bow in. However Sid thought it didn't point very well and this was born out when he lost a couple of potential wins on the beat to the finish line. Ron (08) had the misfortune to lose his rudder servo during the first race so was out for the afternoon. Thanks go to Bill Pitt and Clive Hartland for officiating and of course Ian in the galley.
MS
We managed to catch up with our 2014 racing schedule with a cooler day than of late with a good north east to northerly wind producing some interesting racing over a triangular course. Graham (40) was a comfortable winner in the end although it didn't seem like that at the time. He was fairly well down the fleet at times only to come good at the end where it mattered. Allan (96) sailed very consistently with just the odd mistake keeping him from the top. Sid (05) was sailing his new to him Iambus design with a swing rig which showed great promise on downwind runs managing to be controllable in the gusts and not digging the bow in. However Sid thought it didn't point very well and this was born out when he lost a couple of potential wins on the beat to the finish line. Ron (08) had the misfortune to lose his rudder servo during the first race so was out for the afternoon. Thanks go to Bill Pitt and Clive Hartland for officiating and of course Ian in the galley.
MS
22nd July 2014
A lovely Summers' day with a reasonably good north easterly wind to start although this died away a little as the afternoon went on. Before tea we sailed two laps of a fairly long upwind. downwind course with a short reach at the windward end. This was reduced to one lap after tea break, partly due to the effect of tea and marshmallow tea cakes, but mainly due to the wind strength reducing. Graham (40) sailed very consistently all afternoon with the exception heat five when his battery gave up. Mark (55) again sailed very well except for the times his boat seemed to have a strange magnetic attraction to certain buoys. A tweak after heat one improved Sid's (05) performance no end. Robin (38) showed signs that he was beginning to master the Footy then seemed to get bogged down with a stalled boat - he commented afterwards that a good sense of humour is required to sail a Footy.
Thanks again to Ian for refreshments and to all the helpers, cheerleaders and critics who help the afternoon pass so quickly.
A lovely Summers' day with a reasonably good north easterly wind to start although this died away a little as the afternoon went on. Before tea we sailed two laps of a fairly long upwind. downwind course with a short reach at the windward end. This was reduced to one lap after tea break, partly due to the effect of tea and marshmallow tea cakes, but mainly due to the wind strength reducing. Graham (40) sailed very consistently all afternoon with the exception heat five when his battery gave up. Mark (55) again sailed very well except for the times his boat seemed to have a strange magnetic attraction to certain buoys. A tweak after heat one improved Sid's (05) performance no end. Robin (38) showed signs that he was beginning to master the Footy then seemed to get bogged down with a stalled boat - he commented afterwards that a good sense of humour is required to sail a Footy.
Thanks again to Ian for refreshments and to all the helpers, cheerleaders and critics who help the afternoon pass so quickly.
Birmingham Footy Open 19th July 2014
Well, we just about got away with it weather wise. The forecast was pretty dire with possible thunderstorms but the worst we had was moderate to heavy rain for the first couple of hours. The wind was pretty variable - starting off force 2-3 easterly but then late morning becoming very shifty and occasionally becalming the fleet. This carried on through the afternoon session so races were reduced to one lap and latterly the course was shortened. Even so only 14 races were completed.
The winner Phil Tyler added an international element to the competion by sailing under the Swiss Flag (he's resident there). He gave an impressive display with a beautifully turned out and balanced boat. Peter Shepherd and David Wilkinson sailed very consistently to finish 2nd and 3rd.
OOD Robin Webb kept things nicely under control, Graham Saunders called the line and the buoy and rescue boat was manned by Mark Litherland and Allan Coleman. Superb cakes supplied by Sue Tite and Mark Unitt. Robin's daughter Jacky, a very accomplished artist on a visit from New Zealand, produced three lovely watercolour paintings of the sailing which were offered as prizes in addition to mugs. (see Pictures 2014)
Click to enlarge results
Well, we just about got away with it weather wise. The forecast was pretty dire with possible thunderstorms but the worst we had was moderate to heavy rain for the first couple of hours. The wind was pretty variable - starting off force 2-3 easterly but then late morning becoming very shifty and occasionally becalming the fleet. This carried on through the afternoon session so races were reduced to one lap and latterly the course was shortened. Even so only 14 races were completed.
The winner Phil Tyler added an international element to the competion by sailing under the Swiss Flag (he's resident there). He gave an impressive display with a beautifully turned out and balanced boat. Peter Shepherd and David Wilkinson sailed very consistently to finish 2nd and 3rd.
OOD Robin Webb kept things nicely under control, Graham Saunders called the line and the buoy and rescue boat was manned by Mark Litherland and Allan Coleman. Superb cakes supplied by Sue Tite and Mark Unitt. Robin's daughter Jacky, a very accomplished artist on a visit from New Zealand, produced three lovely watercolour paintings of the sailing which were offered as prizes in addition to mugs. (see Pictures 2014)
Click to enlarge results
27th May 2014
Eight skippers sailed a quite large triangular course in a northeasterly wind that varied between light and strong gusts which were challenging at times for all the boats. Rudders were regularly waved in the air. On and off light rain didn't spoil proceedings. Mark (55) did well in the early races but was almost caught in the after tea races by Graham (40) when the wind was gustier. Possibly due to 40 carrying slightly less sail. Robin (38) still seems to be struggling to come to terms with the Footy but it's surely only a matter of time....
Once again thanks go to buoy layers Graham and Dave and tea men Ian and John.
Eight skippers sailed a quite large triangular course in a northeasterly wind that varied between light and strong gusts which were challenging at times for all the boats. Rudders were regularly waved in the air. On and off light rain didn't spoil proceedings. Mark (55) did well in the early races but was almost caught in the after tea races by Graham (40) when the wind was gustier. Possibly due to 40 carrying slightly less sail. Robin (38) still seems to be struggling to come to terms with the Footy but it's surely only a matter of time....
Once again thanks go to buoy layers Graham and Dave and tea men Ian and John.
22nd April 2014
A reasonable Spring afternoon greeted eight Footy sailors. Threatened rain didn't happen and winds were light to moderate South to Southwesterly.
We were pleased to greet Peter Henderson who made it to the lake thanks to Mrs. Henderson. I expect he was glad to be able to "supervise" the sailing of his 1299 design and offer setup advice.
A triangular course was set with a short reach at the windward end.
Graham (40) once again showed he has the measure of his boat and his "Posh" sails helped him to a comfortable win. Mark (55) and Allan (96) also sailed very consistently. Robin (38) was sailing his Footy competitively for the first time and probably found it very different to the bigger boats he is so good at sailing. An eyesight problem almost certainly didn't help.
An enjoyable afternoon though, helped along with Clive and Mike officiating and Ian and John in the galley.
A reasonable Spring afternoon greeted eight Footy sailors. Threatened rain didn't happen and winds were light to moderate South to Southwesterly.
We were pleased to greet Peter Henderson who made it to the lake thanks to Mrs. Henderson. I expect he was glad to be able to "supervise" the sailing of his 1299 design and offer setup advice.
A triangular course was set with a short reach at the windward end.
Graham (40) once again showed he has the measure of his boat and his "Posh" sails helped him to a comfortable win. Mark (55) and Allan (96) also sailed very consistently. Robin (38) was sailing his Footy competitively for the first time and probably found it very different to the bigger boats he is so good at sailing. An eyesight problem almost certainly didn't help.
An enjoyable afternoon though, helped along with Clive and Mike officiating and Ian and John in the galley.
25th March 2014
A good if rather damp start to our 2014 Footy races. It rained steadily throughout the afternoon, however spirits were not dampened and good racing was had.
Ten competitors started with a reasonably consistent E to NE wind and almost flat water. An elongated triangle course was sailed with just a short reach at the windward end.
Each of the race winners seemed to comfortably win their respective races but further down the fleet racing was close with some tight finishes.
Race officers Graham Saunders and Robin Webb (on the line) kept everything moving along smoothly and half time tea and biscuits were thanks to John Meredith and Ian Apps.
A good if rather damp start to our 2014 Footy races. It rained steadily throughout the afternoon, however spirits were not dampened and good racing was had.
Ten competitors started with a reasonably consistent E to NE wind and almost flat water. An elongated triangle course was sailed with just a short reach at the windward end.
Each of the race winners seemed to comfortably win their respective races but further down the fleet racing was close with some tight finishes.
Race officers Graham Saunders and Robin Webb (on the line) kept everything moving along smoothly and half time tea and biscuits were thanks to John Meredith and Ian Apps.
