Bare Knuckles mainsail failure.

 

23rd November.

Race 2 - 23rd November
A wet overcast morning with a forecast for strong wind with gusts to 40mph failed to deter thirty two competitors from turning out for the second race in the Royal Western’s Icicle Series sponsored by Ullman Sails & F.S. Composite Design Ltd.

The black hull of Allan Meridith’s QUICKBREW bearing down the line on port tack seconds before the start raised a few excited cries from boats approaching the line on starboard, but a quick tack enabled him to take an initial lead.

A rather large black cloud loomed from the west with winds reaching 50 knots. Several boats sustained gear failure including BARE KNUCKLES who was fourth when her mainsail split and had to retire from the race.

QUICKBREW although briefly dropping the headsail on seeing GOLDEN ROSE in trouble he managed to finish first in Div 3 on corrected time. Allan felt it a hallow victory, however, since Nigel Passmore’s APOLLO had stopped racing to stand by GORDON ROSE which had capsized.

ELUSIVE, one of the few boats to be reefed at the start coped with the squall, which competitors recorded as around 50 k, better than most of Div 6 where more than half suffered gear failure and retired. A third over the line was sufficient to gain a first position on corrected time from the five finishers of the eleven starters.

David Hearn’s GARGOUILLE claimed line honours in Div 2 but on corrected time the smaller JOBERG Phil Hooper and POPPIN Tim Burne finished ahead but still behind the winner, on corrected time, DIVA of ARDLAMONT Chris Greensted.

The Royal Western is grateful for assistance provided by the Fire Tender’s crew who were in the vicinity at the time of the capsize and brought the crew of Golden Rose ashore and also to Plymouth Lifeboat crew.

IRC A Positions
Joint 1st MIGHTYMAX III & QUICKBREW
3rd WESTAWAY MAX
4th TWENTY
5th BARE KNUCKLES

With three more races remain,