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CCRC Members also have access to the Member’s Forum which includes the public news plus member-specific information, news and discussion.
CCRC Visit to RNLI College
Each year the Commodore’s Bender presents members and crews with an event which is sailing related but not standard races. This year is a visit to the RNLI College in Poole.
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Intrepid’s Summer
After the end of the CCRC racing season we led a CA rally of 16 boats from Yarmouth to Cherbourg and then St Peter Port. Then it was back home for a few days before we headed off to the Netherlands to spend some time there having rushed through three years ago on our way back from the Baltic. Our passage there and back was fast with some good winds. We enjoyed the lovely towns and villages as well as the canals and waterways in weather that seems to have been better than in the UK.
CCRC Autumn Racing
Chichester Cruiser Racing Club events starts again for the Autumn in just two weeks time with the opportunity to take part in Emsworth Slipper SC Regatta on the Saturday, and then a Club Bay Race on the Sunday. Details at www.ccrc.co.uk/programme.
As always, guest boats are welcome in CCRC races to get an experience of these events and we also have a crew list for details of both see www.ccrc.co.uk/membership.
Cherbourg
Cross Channel Race
Race to Marchwood YC and Back
Even though mid-summers day is just a week away the weekend was mostly grey, quite windy and with rain showers. And additional complications included Hayling Island being blocked by a burst water main on Friday, the M27 being closed on the Saturday and some boats being lifted in late! Nevertheless CCRC racing proceeded.
Saturday’s race to Marchwood started with a beat toward the shipping lane then a long leg reaching past Ryde (passing the other race which had started at Chi 15 mins before us) where we then sailed a triangle including a downwind leg, but no downwind sails appeared in the 20-26 knots of wind. Then a final reach up to the finish at Coronation, from which we sailed up Southampton Water to Marchwood Yacht Club.
At Marchwood there was less wind and the sun made a few appearances so all had drinks on deck while watching the container and cruise ship movements a short distance away. Then it was dinner in the Yacht Club before an early night in preparation for an early start the next morning.
At 7am most were leaving their berths and heading back down towards the race start south of Hamble Point. The wind rapidly built again and the showers made further appearances before a start beating south-west. Then a very long leg back to Chi with the wind sometimes gusting up to 27 knots. Once out of the Solent there were more waves to contend with but all finished within sight of each other at Chi in the late morning.
Well done to the PRO and ROs given the conditions.
A windy weekend but a good time was had by all (I think!).
Summer Mini Series
Saturday’s race was to be the first of the Summer Mini-Series but Storm Miguel produced winds gusting around 35 knots so the race was postponed to Sunday. Despite the winds the crews of some 9 boats still gathered in Northney marina for the barbecue.
Next day the forecast was for only gentle breezes, which increased slightly as a sea breeze rose and ten boats turned out to race in a day of sunny spells.
Our Acting PRO/RO used a RIB to squeeze in the full three races for the mini-series each lasting an hour to an hour and half with varied start and finish points. Each start was quite competitive with some close quarters manoeuvres; a couple being squeezed out and one touching the mark. There was a good mixture of upwind, downwind and reaching legs so plenty of opportunity to test downwind sail launches, drops and packs.
Another great CCRC weekend.
VPRS Nationals in Yachts and Yachting
The VPRS Nationals was covered by Yachts and Yachting.
Bay Races & Barbecue – All Welcome
CCRC’s next event is a series of races in Hayling Bay on the weekend of 8/9th June with a DIY barbecue at Northney Marina on the Saturday evening. This makes it an ideal event for anyone interested in trying out some cruiser racing as a guest yacht on either or both days.
For guest entry (which is free) go to the web site – www.ccrc.co.uk/guest-entry/
Thrilling Race Back From Cowes
Sunday’s race back from Cowes to Chichester was all downwind but with wind gusting around 24knots. Most managed to fly downwind sails for the whole distance and gybe around the marks. It was a thrilling end to the weekend with some surfing in the gusts.
