TOPIC:

Less than a week to go now to The Bloody Mary. I have just logged the entry for Blue Jay so who else is up to the challenge? I know one or two have hinted from the warmth of their armchairs that they might venture out so can we get a decent entry together?

Always a good event although I recall access and launching was somewhat of a challenge! It would be good to see the Alb well represented in the results as well.

Happy New Year to all!

Albacore Andy
Blue Jay
GBR A7525

Janet and I plan to do it.

Unfortunately she will not be finished in time for paint to harden..gutted!

I hope all enjoy it though- current forecast looks like there should be a good breese and I hope there is a great turn out for the class.

Hugh

We will be there with "This way up" subject to the weather allowing us access to the sailing club.

Hard luck Hugh but it will be well worth waiting for I am sure. Good to hear that John & Mark are planning to take part. Can we tempt anyone else out to play? The forecast is looking promising with a breeze and almost a heat wave by comparison to recent weeks. Maybe I will put the sunnies and the factor 30 in the bag as well!

Albacore Andy
GBR A7525
Blue Jay

As soon as I got my entry in the forecast changed.
Now expecting up to 40kt Gusts!

www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=77

Thank God I didn't enter as fortunately I can't get her indoors out of hibernation for some time yet. Should be awake and moving again for the Hamble Warming Pan in March. Details to follow soon.

On Y&Y:

www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=155219

Warm and Windy for the BM
"The long-range weather forecast for this weekend suggests that this will be one of the mildest Bloody Marys that we’ve seen in some years. With temperatures pushing up to 10 degrees Celsius and moderate to strong breezes from the south-west, the conditions are looking a good deal kinder than they did for last year’s sub-zero freezathon. "

And the icing on the cake - they have docked the Phantom and Merlin handicaps for the event!!!

Thanks John the forecast sure looks interesting but hoping it doesn't get too heavy to spoil the event. Hope This Way Up can make it as well it will give us four boats at least. With the weather today we would almost be able to sail there!

Albacore Andy
GBR A7525
Blue Jay

Hope everyone returned home safely from Saturday's pursuit! Well done John & Janet for coming in 46th and especially also to the juniors Matt & Natalie for a very good 79th. Blue Jay came in 122nd which is her best result to date for this event. Commiserations to Nev and Mark on their classification of 195th but the DNC was a genuine one as there was no launching slipway from the M25 car park - they were unable to reach the event. I bet they would have done well if they had made it. A total of 238 boats entered and amongst these were a handful of DNFs and a good number of DNCs due to the gusty conditions at the start. The official write up states force 4-5 at the start but I suspect there was some 6 in their as well. They were right about the wind dropping back to a force 3 and below though which dropped us all off the plane part way through the first lap and allowed other boats past. It was great also to catch up with Johnny & Anita Herbert who turned up as supporters. Overall another excellent event and congratulations to the organisers for coping with the logistics of getting all those people and boats organised. Our only complaint was not being able to get anywhere near the bar after the race. Still we sank a couple of pints at our club local on the way home!

Albacore Andy
GBR A7525
Blue Jay