Light Winds At Lyme

Light winds predominated at the Lyme Regis Albacore Open Meeting held on the weekend of 18th and 19th May. The event was shared with the Scorpions and on Saturday both fleets waited patiently in the harbour launching area for the race committee to release them. The wind was light, variable and offshore but finally after some delay the tallies were released and the two fleets sailed out into Lyme Bay to race.

Race 1 finally got under way an hour later than scheduled with all eleven Albacores crossing the line and beating slowly towards the windward mark. It was soon clear that Crispin Read Wilson sailing Achilles A731, probably the oldest Fairey currently racing, had read the conditions perfectly and he rounded the windward mark a good ten boat lengths ahead of the chasing pack. The fleet was already well spread out as they headed up what should have been a reach but as the wind shifted and lightened further soon became a close hauled leg. In fact some boats were pushed low and had to tack against the tide to make the second mark. Leg three was down wind and the lead boats were well down this as the final boats struggled round the second mark. Strangely, viewed from the tail end of the fleet, no boats were appearing on the fourth leg. Finally as the tail-enders approached the third mark Michael McNamara in his red Woof appeared slowly clawing his way against the tide. The remainder of the fleet were stationary crabwise just stemming the tide in the very light breeze. As John Howard and Andy Pearce rounded they went from ninth and tenth places to second and third respectively. Within seconds the wind filled in quickly from the west and suddenly racing was under way again. Michael still led followed by John Howard and Andy Pearce but passing through the line a group of boats were fighting to get back on terms. After the final 'sausage' Michael McNamara was first to cross the finish line followed by Rob Lyme, Jerry Rook in 'Running on Empty', John Howard in 'Stratosphere', Colin Walters in fifth and Andy Pearce in sixth. Nev Herbert in 'Gran Torino' and Matt Thompson in 'Grand Turismo' followed with Crispin the early leader finishing finally in ninth. Pete Morton and Tim Wadsworth filled the final two places. Certainly it was a race with some strange twists and one where the wind gods played with us all.

With further wind shifts the start of Race 2 was further delayed but eventually was signalled. The front of the fleet was contested between Rob Lyne, Michael McNamara, Nev Herbert and Jerry Rook. After a close contest the final order was Rob, Nev, Jerry and Michael with John Howard in fifth and Matt Thompson in sixth. Due to the late start and delays the final race of the day was not run.

On Sunday morning the wind was again light and with racing due to start at 10.30 we all launched early. The sail out was long and slow and the start was again delayed until all boats had arrived. In view of the conditions the race officer set a smaller course. In the ultra -light conditions the local knowledge again seemed to pay dividends and this time it was Jerry Rook first to the windward mark closely followed by John Howard, Michael McNamara, Rob Lyne and Nev Herbert. The second leg was downwind and the order remained unchanged with Andy Pearce following in sixth place with a lead over the pursuing boats of Crispin, Matt, Colin, Pete and Tim. Jerry continued to lead up the third leg with Michael sailing through into second and Rob into third pushing John Howard back into fourth place. The Snowdrops – sorry Nev what else wearing those pristine matching white caps – were holding fifth place at the end of the leg but rounding the final mark were struggling to beat the tide and make it to the finish line. Andy Pearce was catching fast but once at the final mark faced the same challenge with Crispin and Matt closing fast. The finishing order was Jerry, Michael, Rob, John, Nev, Andy, Crispin, Matt, Colin and Pete. Tim retired on the second leg.

The final race was cancelled due to the lack of wind and the fleet gratefully headed in from the bay, some paddling, some being towed. Rob Lyne should be mentioned here for his very effective foredeck two-handed paddling action!

Due to only three races being run there were no discards and after the scores were totalled Rob Lyne was the clear winner crewed by Steve Graham with Michael McNamara and Tim Linsell in second and local boy Jerry Rook with S Takezoe in third place. John Howard crewed by Lynda Bennett were a creditable fourth and Nev Herbert and Steve Penfold fifth.

Rob Lyne thanked the Lyme team for their efforts in the difficult conditions. What happened to those challenging Lyme waves?

Andy Pearce

NAA Events Secretary