Saturday’s race to Cowes was a race of three distinct parts. The start was supposed to be directly into the gently breeze but this soon turned into a fetch and after the first mark the downwind sails came out as we headed towards Gilkicker Point. Once through the forts we entered a “wind hole” so sails hung limp and some dropped anchor to avoid being swept back. After a while (it seemed a very long while but we were patient) a gentle breeze started from the west and gradually reached each boat. Soon we had 15-20 knots of wind for the last stage towards Cowes.
