The good ship “Not Mine”, a J105, is looking for 2 or 3 crew for this
Saturday. So if your boat is still not in the water and you want to
sail drop Tom Quinn a line at [tq at j24bermuda dot com] and I will
forward to the appropriate contacts.

Five boats on the line for the start of the season. A smattering of Etchells, IODs and 105’s joined in the days fun. The new late start meant chores were done, golf games were played, shopping was picked up, or, in the case of the author, leaving the house early so as to avoid all the above.

It was a bit blowy at the dock, and one out in the Sound, the breeze made itself known – a solid 20 knots from the S. New Wave were sporting a genoa, so Sadiiqi followed suit – both wanting to improve high wind genoa sailing in preparation for the worlds – the rest of the fleet went with the starter sail kit. Race 1 came along soon enough, and the youngsters on spoRHADiC (junior sailors from RHADC), found a golden corner, had good speed and boat-handling, and took the race convincingly. That woke the rest of the fleet up! The first mark had all five boats arriving together, and the resulting fracas had flags, turns, and conversations flowing.

Race 2 and Sadiiqi lined up for a shut out at the committee boat – left just enough room for Gripper to get in, but grand plans were then thrown out of the window as spoRHADiC joined in the fun – the resulting collisions had Sadiiqi spat out the back, with plenty to make up. Gripper took the finish with a hard charging Jezebell being held out by Sadiiqi.

Race 3 and the wind had built a little – by now everyone but New Wave had jibs up. The wind had moved more to the West as a small front came through, and the Somerset shore seemed to pay off, unless boats went in too far. Sadiiqi built a lead on the first lap, and although Gripper closed it down, they were held off to the finish – the wind shifting more to the west on the last run helped a bit as well!

So a good opening weekend for another season!