Documents posted to racing section.

A difficult day for the race committe and the tacticians as 12 boats took part in 2009 Bermuda National Championships for the Butterfield Cup.

First race had R/C Jay Hooper seta 3 lapper, in building breeze. ALl boats had now changed to jibs. Downwind legs were interesting in the unstable air - lots of rocking and rolling. At the finish New Wave, Sadiiqi and spoRHADiC (Lance Fraser). Next race was delayed for over an hour as the breeze died completely and then slowly built to 4-5 knots. That race ended with New Wave, RHADiCal (with Chuck Millican), and Erin.

The third race was more of the same - finish was New Wave, Sliding By and Solaise. Going into the fourth race, with no drops, New Wave had it almost sewn up. After the first lap there were 6 boats arriving at the leeward mark simultaneously - after that lot were sorted out the top four bailed left, leaving Siren and Sadiiqi trucking right. The right was the way to go - a sustained lift gave Sadiiqi a healthy lead which was kept to the end. Sadiiqi, Erin then New Wave crossed.

2009 J24 National Champion of Bermuda - Team New Wave; 2nd Sadiiqi; 3rd Erin. A great showing from both the junior teams.

Thanks to Jay and his team; Becky for the post race social; and the sailors for taking part!

Results

Warning - all the executive have been trained on Constant Contact over a glass of wine. Apologies if weird messages crop up in your mailbox from now on in!!!!!

Follow the link on the home page to the Bemruda J24 Facebook Group to see pictures from this weekend.

After a fun day windward-leewarding in the Atlantic off St. George’s, it was time to bring the boats home.

The course was a Le Mans start with boats heads to wind, no jibs, at the gun, followed by a spinnaker run through Town Cut and out into the Atlantic. A turn left into the Channel and off we went on a tack to “The Crescent”. This spot is 6 miles north of the island, and has great views of the island, and is surrounded by shallow clear water - wonderful spot. A tack at mark 12A started a long tack into the Great Sound, followed by a rounding of 102, and a spinakker reach back into the Harbour and home - 22.5 miles later.

We had 7 boats on the line, in slightly less breeze than yesterday - 18-20 knots. Off we all went with double-handed crews, and a great spinnaker start. Most of the boats attempted to cut the corner on the way out, but a yell of “oy” sorted them out. All the boats were overlapped at the first mark, and then set off in prcession up the first channel, honouring all the marks (as was the rule). Heading north away from land was a new experience for some, as the island got smaller and smaller. Sun was shining, the water was warm and the beers were cold.

Erin’s technique was to foot off for speed, Siren was to pinch up and sail fglat, and Sadiiqi was to keep dry if possible. All three boats were neck and neck for most of the way out, with Sadiiqi taking the lead by the halfway point. Soliase after a good start, dropped back a bit before Neil work up and charged forwards again. Overstanding a mark lost him the ground he’d gained back though.
After several hours of this fun, boats finally rounded 102 and with the pole forewards Sadiiqi hoisted first. On Solaise a committee meeting was held to discuss whether or not to use the chute. A brief recess was called to make and down a rum and ginger, before the foredesk was sufficiently braced to hoist the beast. A coupl eof boats spun out slightly on the way in, but soon all 7 were running down the harbour, chutes flying.

At the finish, Sadiiqi took the gun (which was a horn, but taking the horn can’t be right can it?). Then Siren and Erin, or was it Erin and Siren - the post race celebrations blurred the day a little.

A great sail - lots of burned and thirsty sailors, and what a way to round out the weekend.

We have been approached by the RHADC to see if we would provide bar tenders for the Marion Bda Cocktail party on prize giving night.

We did this 2 years ago and it was a lot of fun (picture of the team at Gov House rotates on RHADC home page banner). As we do use the club as our adopted home it would be a good gesture on our part.

It will involve about 15 people depending on how the bars are set up.

The date is Saturday June 27th and the location is the Commissioners House in Dockyard.

Time is yet to be confirmed but would be late afternoon judging from 2 years ago.

If you have any interest please let me know.

Many thanks

Becky