Micro Magic Racing 2014
4th November 2014
What a difference a couple of weeks makes. Winter is definitely on it's way with a distinct chill in the air, although on this occasion the winds were kinder (sort of).
This was a game of two halves. The three races before tea took place in ever decreasing winds such that the third race was called short and two sailors never made it to the start line, being trapped in what seemed like a vacuum near the bank. After tea we had a rather a good steady westerly and it was possible to sail the course one thought was best (not always for the best). However, Graham (457) sailed very consistently to confirm his position of second place in this years overall results. Count backs settled the other placings. Thanks go to buoy layers Graham and Sid and of course Ian for tea.
What a difference a couple of weeks makes. Winter is definitely on it's way with a distinct chill in the air, although on this occasion the winds were kinder (sort of).
This was a game of two halves. The three races before tea took place in ever decreasing winds such that the third race was called short and two sailors never made it to the start line, being trapped in what seemed like a vacuum near the bank. After tea we had a rather a good steady westerly and it was possible to sail the course one thought was best (not always for the best). However, Graham (457) sailed very consistently to confirm his position of second place in this years overall results. Count backs settled the other placings. Thanks go to buoy layers Graham and Sid and of course Ian for tea.
21st October 2014
Somebody called Gonzalo (not even a member) managed to spoil today's proceedings by whipping up high gusting winds, lashing rain and enough broken water to splash over the recently raised dam.
Adam dipped his boat in the water with a D rig and extra ballast and just about managed to hold his own until a sheet broke under the strain.
Early tea called (thanks Ian) and our "hardy sailors" drifted away.
We hope to sail on the 4th of November to complete the eight races of our Summer series.
Somebody called Gonzalo (not even a member) managed to spoil today's proceedings by whipping up high gusting winds, lashing rain and enough broken water to splash over the recently raised dam.
Adam dipped his boat in the water with a D rig and extra ballast and just about managed to hold his own until a sheet broke under the strain.
Early tea called (thanks Ian) and our "hardy sailors" drifted away.
We hope to sail on the 4th of November to complete the eight races of our Summer series.
16th September 2014
A very pleasant afternoon's racing in light to moderately strong Easterly winds. A triangle and sausage course was set by OOD Clive. Adam (400) again showed us how to do it, although, Sid (319) showed a big improvement on previous results - obviously getting the hang of the boat - be afraid everyone. Dave (417) had a couple of very bad results for no obvious reason - much muttering, and Brian (39) must be running out of excuses by now.
Thanks go to Clive and Dave in the boat and of course Ian for tea. (MS)
A very pleasant afternoon's racing in light to moderately strong Easterly winds. A triangle and sausage course was set by OOD Clive. Adam (400) again showed us how to do it, although, Sid (319) showed a big improvement on previous results - obviously getting the hang of the boat - be afraid everyone. Dave (417) had a couple of very bad results for no obvious reason - much muttering, and Brian (39) must be running out of excuses by now.
Thanks go to Clive and Dave in the boat and of course Ian for tea. (MS)
19th August 2014
Fleet back up to reasonable strength sailing in a fairly stiff West to North Westerly (at last!). The question was which rig to try, although some don't have the choice.
Adam (400) and Graham (457) sailed with a B rig all afternoon which turned out to be a good choice for them. Mike (451) changed from a C to an A at tea break to no obvious advantage - although quite a few mistakes and penalties didn't help. Sid raced his new to him MM for the first time and should surely to improve with familiarity.
Thanks go to Clive for keeping order, Ian for tea, and the Three Men in a Boat (minus dog), Allan, Dave and Adam. (MS)
Fleet back up to reasonable strength sailing in a fairly stiff West to North Westerly (at last!). The question was which rig to try, although some don't have the choice.
Adam (400) and Graham (457) sailed with a B rig all afternoon which turned out to be a good choice for them. Mike (451) changed from a C to an A at tea break to no obvious advantage - although quite a few mistakes and penalties didn't help. Sid raced his new to him MM for the first time and should surely to improve with familiarity.
Thanks go to Clive for keeping order, Ian for tea, and the Three Men in a Boat (minus dog), Allan, Dave and Adam. (MS)
15th July 2014
A reduced fleet had enjoyable racing on a pleasant Summer's afternoon. A nominal northwesterly wind was quite variable and shifty but was usually enough to keep things moving along. A quite large rectangular course was set which was sailed as a rectangle and diagonal sausage. The course got even longer during races 2 and 3 as the leeward buoy set off towards the dam - fixed during tea break.
Racing was quite close most of the time but Adam (400) showed us how to do it and nearly had a clean sweep except for a little misjudgement near the finish in the last race.
Thanks to Clive for keeping order (and cakes!) and Ian for tea.
A reduced fleet had enjoyable racing on a pleasant Summer's afternoon. A nominal northwesterly wind was quite variable and shifty but was usually enough to keep things moving along. A quite large rectangular course was set which was sailed as a rectangle and diagonal sausage. The course got even longer during races 2 and 3 as the leeward buoy set off towards the dam - fixed during tea break.
Racing was quite close most of the time but Adam (400) showed us how to do it and nearly had a clean sweep except for a little misjudgement near the finish in the last race.
Thanks to Clive for keeping order (and cakes!) and Ian for tea.
17th June 2014
Very variable North Easterly winds greeted seven competitors on a coolish but pleasant dry afternoon. Racing was quite tight with firsts shared among four skippers.
Dave (417) was the most consistent but was closely chased by Adam (400) who sailed all races with a "B" rig - possibly not the right decision as all others coped reasonably well on "A" rigs with only occasional overpowering.
Thanks to Clive Hartland scoring and Graham Tite on the line, racing was carried out with great efficiency. Thanks also to Ian Apps in the galley.
Very variable North Easterly winds greeted seven competitors on a coolish but pleasant dry afternoon. Racing was quite tight with firsts shared among four skippers.
Dave (417) was the most consistent but was closely chased by Adam (400) who sailed all races with a "B" rig - possibly not the right decision as all others coped reasonably well on "A" rigs with only occasional overpowering.
Thanks to Clive Hartland scoring and Graham Tite on the line, racing was carried out with great efficiency. Thanks also to Ian Apps in the galley.
Well, we managed to get our "catch up" race day completed. Only six competitors (some on holiday) sailed in quite pleasant but overcast conditions with a very light to moderate East to Southerly wind. The start hooter seemed to be a cue for the wind to drop completely. However six races were completed in reasonably good time. Adam really found form with four firsts, but all sailors seemed to be in the chance of a win at various times. We may not hear the last of Brian's second place.
Many thanks to assistants Graham, Clive, Sid and of course Ian for tea.
Many thanks to assistants Graham, Clive, Sid and of course Ian for tea.
The Micro Magic series finally got off to a good start with 10 skippers racing in very pleasant Spring sunshine. The wind was a little bit of a problem varying from NE to S and from dead calm to fair gusts. It was possible to be on a dead run on all points of the compass at times anywhere on the course.
However, racing was interesting and competition close with four skippers recording a win. Graham (457) was the most consistent to come on top, while at the bottom, John (319) suffered due to the mysterious loss of his main luff rings.
Thanks once again to officials and helpers, Clive, Robin, Sid and of course Ian for tea.
However, racing was interesting and competition close with four skippers recording a win. Graham (457) was the most consistent to come on top, while at the bottom, John (319) suffered due to the mysterious loss of his main luff rings.
Thanks once again to officials and helpers, Clive, Robin, Sid and of course Ian for tea.
Sorry to report that the Micro Magic racing season got off a poor start on the 18th of March.
Strong winds - 18 to 20 knots gusting to 30+ knots would have made racing rather difficult.
Two or three hardy souls with small rigs tested the water but found control too difficult.
See a couple of pictures of Adam's new MM with D rig on Pictures 2014
Strong winds - 18 to 20 knots gusting to 30+ knots would have made racing rather difficult.
Two or three hardy souls with small rigs tested the water but found control too difficult.
See a couple of pictures of Adam's new MM with D rig on Pictures 2014
