Sizewell Race

Saturday 10th July – Sizewell Race

A small but select fleet gathered on Saturday for the Sizewell race with a forecast of light variable winds and occasional showers. After a short postponement to the start to allow for the arrival of one of Antares crew, the race got under way at 10:45.

The fleet was spread across the line with Commodore Ollie and crew Libby in “Elise” choosing the favourable pin end in the most tide. Hoisting a Javelin spinnaker “Elise” pulled out a small lead while inshore Antares luffed “Spirit” as they went in search of more tide and wind offshore.

Spinnakers were short lived and soon the fleet was hard on the wind aiming for Sizewell, “Elise” continued to pull out a lead with “Antares” chasing and “Spirit” in third.

As “Elise” disappeared into the murk the tide began to turn and it became clear that the fleet would struggle to make it to Sizewell, the course was therefore shortened to a transit on the Coastguard cottages at Dunwich Heath.

“Elise” made the turn for home first and hoisted a bigger spinnaker for the run home. “Antares” had closed the gap, but a poor hoist allowed “Elise” to pull away again and “Spirit” to catch up from behind.

The wind briefly increased and 5knots boat speed was seen, before another shift saw “Antares” and “Spirit” drop their spinnakers, “Spirit” deciding at this stage the call of the BBQ was stronger and switched to the iron spinnaker and motored for the harbour.

Disaster almost struck for “Elise” at the finish as the tide almost swept them past the line, but a last minute tack and sideways slide saw them take a well deserved victory after leading from the start.

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