Race Report 16th Sept, Non Mans Fort

The CCRC joined with Bosham Sailing Club for their annual race around No Man’s Fort. 13 or14 yachts started the race in light winds and calm sea. One may have retired before the start line due to a boat issue. It was an interesting downwind start, with from what I recall Exeat was first to get their spinnaker up. It was a tricky spinnaker run to the Fort, choices of how deep to sail and where on the tide to sail made quite a difference. As the west going tide increased a small amount of chop appeared which slowed the progress of the lighter yachts, one of which retired at that point. With the increasing tide on approaching the Fort the apparent wind eased further and the fleet bunched up. Rounding the Fort was challenging because of a significant wind shadow, dirty wind issues from the close fleet and a strong west going tide. The return leg was a beat. A few yachts chose switch back north to Hayling bay shore earlier than others. For the final stretch the yachts chose different tracks in varying depths selecting what they thought was the optimum balance between adverse tide, less distance to travel and wind speed. Another good day of sailing where tactics and light air sailing skills were important.