Disappointment and drama
THE FORECAST 20 plus knot winds overnight were supposed to drop to 14 knots by 11.00 on Sunday, April 2 but the forecasters had got it wrong and the they had not moderated by 11.00, the normal start time for Sailing Association Mar Menor (SAMM) races, or the delayed times of 11.30 then 12.00.
Two novice crews then decided not to race in the conditions, which forced the race officer to abandon the day. A great disappointment for everybody. In fact the high winds continued well into the afternoon so it was a sensible decision.
Wednesday, April 5 was the first SAMM midweek race day, a new idea for 2023 requested by some members. This did go ahead and it was a day of drama.
For race one the wind was NW 9.5 knots but gusty. The
start timing was hindered when the horn jammed so a minute was added, but most boats still started well, with the Omega, Sirocco, and Laser Radial in the lead pack, however Vision had a problem with the rigging and did not start.
Julian, who sailed Sirocco single-handed, almost T-boned a dinghy at the first mark when it failed to heed his call of ‘starboard’. Then he had to heave to on lap four to fix the rudder down haul.
The Omega capsized at the first mark on the second lap but quickly got going without losing much time, but then had to return to the shore to replace lost battens, re-joining the race later.
The drama continued with the capsize of the Laser Radial during lap four.
It was righted once but the rudder jammed and over she went again. The support boat attended but the sailor, John, was in the water for about seven minutes trying to right her and got very cold. The support boat crew got John on board, wrapped him in a thermal blanket, took him ashore for a warm shower, then recovered the Laser. Afterwards John said: “I cannot praise enough the support boat crew’s recovery of myself and my boat.”
For race two, the wind had increased to 10 knots from the north, turning more east halfway through, but was less gusty. The Omega and Laser Radial stayed ashore so four boats raced as Vision had sorted the rigging problem. This race was more steady with much less drama, the Laser 2000 moved up the field but was late doing so and, despite finishing first on the water, was third after handicaps were applied.
After the finish Julian in Sirocco couldn’t get his engine started and had to pick-up his mooring under sail. He got it wrong and lost his boat hook so was now in real trouble. The support boat supplied another boat hook and the crew was transferred to help but lost his spectacles and hat overboard in the process.
During the after race chat, Julian (Sirocco) admitted that he saw the Laser capsized but could not see John so stopped racing and went to check. Realising John had been taken ashore by the support boat he rejoined the race but missed a mark. The race officer thanked him for his honesty but had to mark him DNF.
A good end to a dramatic day’s racing, with results as follows:
First race: 1. Ginetta 375 secs; 2. Dos 481 secs; 3. 586 secs
Second race: 1. Sirocco 297 secs; 2. Ginetta 319 secs; 3. Dos 376 secs
Want to join in on SAMM race days? Visit www.sailing marmenor.com for more details