Forts Race 5th September 2011 Results

RACE REPORT
FORTS RACE
Sunday 4 September 2011
Organised by: Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, Cowes.

The weather did not look promising for the inaugural CCYC Forts Race. An early morning mist causing bad visibility looked likely to put the endeavour of racing around the Spit Sand, Horse Sand and No Mans Land Forts in jeopardy. However as the midday start time approached the sun broke out and visibility cleared with a great westerly breeze of 10-12 knots and the promise of an increasing SW late in the afternoon.

Twenty-two entries crowded the down-tide start line set off East Cowes. Although Ian Lallow, Principal Race Officer, called ‘all clear’ at the start, Equator, a Contessa 32, convinced they were over, came back to duck the line and re-started losing valuable minutes against the tide.

The mixed fleet enjoyed incredibly close racing as they ran eastwards to Spit Sand Fort with their spinnakers set for a broad reach that became tighter as they approached Portsmouth. At one point Andrew Millband (Chairman of the Race Committee), following the race aboard the committee vessel could see eight boats all on level pegging and spread over a one mile wide front sweeping down the Solent. Who would be first? The smallest boat Ffuraha (Flying 15) with Mike Boll and Gil McCutcheon on board looked to be performing well despite being dwarfed by the others. Erida a classic 30 sq m with local boat designer John Corby trimming the spinnaker was starting to poke her nose ahead of the fleet as they drew level with Gilkicker point. Close on her heels was the rebuilt quarter tonner Ministrone, sporting her Etchells’ mainsail and rig. In a surprise twist, Water Music (SB3), who disappeared from view as she played wide gybe angles, came in on a port reach from Ryde Pier to pass Spit Sand Port just behind Erida.

Erida in a rare mistake dropped her spinnaker to harden up and set course for Horse Sand Fort – forgetting that they needed to go through the main Dolphin passage as part of the course. Several minutes passed before realizing their error the spinnaker reappeared and they squeezed through the 20m wide gap a bare ten seconds ahead of Water Music. By now the wind was piping up, and as the boats leaned over for the beat to Horse Sand Fort several boats were able to gain some distance with a smooth change to a number two headsail. The majority of the fleet passed Horse Sand within five minutes of each other, and it promised to be a battle royal back to Cowes passing No Mans Land Fort in the now 20 knot South Westerly and a slack tide. This proved to be fabulous conditions for the eight Contessa 32s in the fleet, reveling in the wind they leant over a bit more and powered through the waves. Incorporating the Forts Race into the Contessa inshore regatta series, Connie had to get at least a second to achieve 1st overall, this was a big ask as she was lying 5th as the fleet flew passed Wooton. Conscious of this a tacking battle commenced between the lead Contessa’s with Connie briefly gaining the advantage in Osborne Bay only to be beaten to the line by Equator who took line honours for the 32’s closely followed by Connie.

The beat to the finish had not been quite so comfortable for the light weight Ffuraha and Water Music who finished 6th and 11th over the line. Erida however had done enough in the first half of the race and hung on well in the breeze to finish 7th on the line but take overall victory on corrected time. Not bad for a boat built in 1937.

Prizes were very kindly sponsored by Harken, English Braids, Crewsaver and Winning Tides with Erida receiving Harken luggage and dry bags, Equator taking home new dyneema geneo sheets and buoyancy aids, and copies of Winning Knowledge going to the runners up.

Next year’s race is provisionally set for Sunday 2 September. We are aiming to double the number of boats taking part. So put the date in your diary now and spread the news! Trophies and keeper prizes will be awarded to the first three boats in each class – it would be fantastic to see day boats like Etchells, Darings and Sonars out there competing for some great prizes!

Hamo Thornycroft’s pictures of the race are available:

http://www.yacht-photos.co.uk/events/1398-1133/ccyc-forts-race-2011.php