CSORC at the IDOR

IDOR 2011 Passage Race to Portsmouth

2011-06-11T12:52:00.002+01:00

Friday of the IDOR means a race from Cowes, via Warner to Spit Sand fort in the entrance to Portsmouth.

The wind was super light westerly at the start and the tide against us. So the question was whether to go for the inshore route to cheat the tide or outside and get the best wind. The tide also turns earlier nearer the mainland - but this is a long way off.

We went for the close in option as Phil had spotted that the tide was almost zero inshore. This appeared to work as we sailed high under the spinnaker and swapped the lead with Sue Antonelli, Matt Adams and one or two others. This was tense nail-biting stuff, and it went on for a long time, enlivened only by a large ship coming through the fleet. Those that went very close inshore seemed to do well for a while once they reached Osborne but later it become clear that further out was the way to go as the wind was more consistent.

We went off to the north of the main channel, just east of Browndown before the wind headed us so we dropped the kite. Then the wind just about gave up, and we were back to the IDOR game of pooh sticks. A big grey cloud was raining to the east. Eventually we could see that wind was coming in from the west and we quickly got the kite up, but the damage was done and the boats at the back had all been swept up to join the becalmed leaders. Worse still they were south of us, so nearer to Warner. We were now under spinnaker and sailing a bit higher so able to make good ground.

We dropped the kite close to Warner and gybed to the north side of the channel, the tide now being against us. Some close tacking in the stiff breeze took us to the finish. Results to come soon.

Nick

IDOR 2011 - Out West

2011-06-11T12:26:00.002+01:00

This year the tides mitigated against a race round the island, so a course out into Christchurch Bay was set.

After the previous windy and wild conditions we set off on a long beat west with the tide and a moderate wind. With a 7 a.m. start it was sunny but still cold.

We beat close inshore at the start to get the extra boost along the green before coming into the main channel as the tide started to ebb west. We were well positioned from the off, so just concentrated on keeping somewhat to the island side for best tide and a bit of converging wind. Once past Hurst the sea state kicked up over the Bridge and the wind dropped somewhat making for difficult sailing. We passed SW Shingles (a mark of the course) and stood on for 100 metres or so before tacking. This was a mistake as we overstood Christchurch Ledge buoy and let Littleton inside.

We gybed back out and hoisted the kite. The next gybe was very prolonged when the lazy sheet was twisted round the pole. Another gybe and we came up high, still with the spinnaker, to round North Head then bore away at Hurst.

The run back to the finish was a simple matter of keeping the boat dead downwind and catching the occasional small surf. The breeze was back up to around 20 knots by now. Again we kept right in the middle of the channel (the tide had now turned) and watched the boats around us for small gains. Pole up, pole down, pole back, weight forward, we tried various moves to get a bit more speed but the action really hotted up at the finish. We went for a close inshore line to get to the closest end of the finish line but were hit by 90 degree wind shifts and lulls under the point.

The good winds meant we were back in time for a late lunch and a good rest in the afternoon sun.

I've not got the results from the race at the moment but think we were around 9th.

Thursday night we had a superb meal at the Corinthian and with racing not until 10 on Friday were able to have a late night.

Nick

Big Wednesday

2011-06-11T12:13:00.002+01:00

The forecast was F4 to 5, occasionally 6 later, but the reality was a F5 to start, becoming F6 with big gusts of over 30 knots in the afternoon.

Details of the three inshore races get a bit hazy but it just got windier and windier. Flag Yankee denoted compulsory lifejackets, and the no kites rule was brought into force. A couple of boats started with a reefed main. By race two quite a few were reefed but we found that the extra speed downwind allowed for some occasional surfing and more than made up for the rounding ups upwind.

At times the biggest problem was avoiding other boats that were struggling to keep control. We wanted to stay close inshore upwind, but the gusts under Norris were fearsome. Add to the mix a succession of very big ships coming through what they called the main channel and we called the race area. At one point we even furled the headsail so we could stop and wait for an inbound container ship and attendant pilot vessel.

By the last race most were reefed (including ourselves) and a few double reefed. Everybody was wet including the helm.

We were 11th, 6th and 15th.

An exhausting day but great fun.

Nick

Day two - the Nab and a short inshore race

2011-06-11T11:47:00.002+01:00

The first race of the day was to the Nab and back. A spinnaker run off the start developed into a reach, then a close reach as the wind built. It became a case of "who can hold the kite longest" until near the forts, when some dropped, and some held on, going wide. Under white sails we were close on an increasing wind as the Nab came closer. The sea was beginning to kick up as we came out of the shelter of the IOW.

At this point we were well positioned in the upper half of the fleet with a couple of boats close to windward and a couple who had held onto their kites and were ahead but downwind. As we approached the Nab we rounded with a number of boats quite close. We gave the mark a healthy offing but a boat just ahead of us gybed and rounded up suddenly, T-boning the Nab with a crunch. A quick glance showed that they had some damage but weren't holed or anything life-threatening.

Another reach took us to the red posts off Ryde sands, going inshore to cheat the tide. Our experience with the Portchester mud had told us that the depth sounder would show the best part of minus a metre before we hit bottom, which was reassuring to know as we saw the depth go down to less than a metre.

A sprint across the channel took us to Fastnet insurance and then a beat back to the ISC line. We were 8th and only 6 minutes behind the winners in over four hours of racing. In fact the racing was close throughout, with SOCA in 20th place only ten minutes behind us.

After a brief respite and lunch we had a short second race beating close inshore up to East Lepe then across to Quinnell with the kite and a gybe down to Flying Fish and home. Our 9th place set the standard for the next couple of days. We were very happy with the racing so far, and enjoying the F4-5 wind after a few light wind IDORs of late.

Nick

Day one - practice

2011-06-11T11:39:00.002+01:00

The handover at Port Solent was late and chaotic. The boats had just come in from the weekend events and it was eight o'clock on Sunday before we were on board and had checked the inventory. We did the formal handover on Monday morning and were in the lock fairly promptly. When the lock was opened we couldn't get out because a big dredger and its even larger barge were sitting in the way, looking big and rusty, and hard. When we were eventually given the go-ahead to squeeze by we ran aground in the mud. The guys operating the lock told us to hand on while they released a tidal wave to power us off the mud and on our way. This worked brilliantly and finally we were off.

The wind was light and fairly fickle for our practise day but this suited us well as this was only the second time our bowman had done the job. We really made the most of the easy conditions and hoisted, gybed and dropped again and again until the wind died away to nothing in time for the practice race. We decided to can proceedings, satisfied that we had pretty much nailed the basics.

So it was into Cowes for the skippers' briefing and dinner at the Island Sailing Club.

Wireless

2011-06-11T11:34:00.003+01:00

Plans to update this blog on a daily basis from Cowes Yacht Haven were scuppered ... by the tide! Apparently the yacht haven were updating their wi-fi and the techies weren't sailors. The aerials attached to the pontoons didn't allow for the pontoons moving up and down with the tide. So, no wifi!

So with apologies to those hoping to see how things went the next few posts are all a bit late, but hopefully none the worse for that.

Nick

IDOR 2011 - Racing Starts Tuesday 7th June

2011-06-04T09:45:00.003+01:00

The CSORC IDOR team is once again preparing to do battle with 21 other Civil Service departmental and club crews. We go out to practice on Monday and racing starts on Tuesday with a longish race out of the Solent followed by a short inshore race. This is the first year that we will be racing on the new Sunsail F40 boats, which should prove a bit more exciting than the old Sunfast 37s.

Wish us well.

Nick

Round the Island

2010-06-11T08:27:00.002+01:00

The Round the Island race in the IDOR had been scheduled for Wednesday but was then switched to Thursday on the forecast of better wind. And so it was. A downwind start westwards (at 7:30 !) against the tide. We went inshore to start, as did the majority, then sacrificed tide for reaching angle and speed as we went into the main channel. The wind was NE F4 and it was grey and overcast. Halfway down the Solent we had a slim lead, with the majority of boats inshore at the island side looking for less tide, and a couple on the mainland shore. 3 or 4 boats were with us in the middle, but behind us. After Newtown our strategy started to look less clever as the inshore boats picked up a fair tide while we were still in foul. We should have gone inshore right then but we stuck it out and watched much of the fleet go past us.

At the Bridge buoy we doused the kite and started a long slog into the wind. At St Catherines the wind became super-gusty as the wind came over the hills. We stuck out the gusts close in, trying to buck the foul tide. Loads of boats were getting periodically flattened by the gusts and a couple put reefs in. A couple also got past us in the lulls under the lighthouse.

Next a long beat up to Bembridge. We went offshore to find some weaker tide and gained a handful of places. Once round Bembridge we went inside the fort but outside the red posts and the sandy bits. 37 had gone aground ahead of us, and didn't get off for an hour or so. In this leg the remaining boats just gradually sailed past us, the last one almost at the line. We must have been towing a bucket, but anyway we were all exhausted, wet and hungry.

We had to prime the cooling system before starting the engine, and arrived in harbour after six (I think). Not a good result but an excellent day's sailing and a baptism in "offshore" for more than one of the crew.

Phew!

2010-06-09T18:35:00.004+01:00

Well the wind came in around 9:30 and we have just had a fantastic day's sailing. We've been playing musical chairs with a starting helm, a racing helm and a "can't you guys do anything right" helm, as well as an upwind crew and a downwind crew. After two days as novice sailor/foredeck hero, Peter Denison has now got some help from Fastnet veteran Nick Huxford and we have a bit of slack in crew numbers. We had been sailing with a crew of 6, but we haven't been at all shy about getting the kite up. Today the sun came out and the wind hit a very solid F4 giving us a brilliant afternoon of racing. All three races were completed though there were a couple of shortened courses.

We are currently in 12th place out of the 20 boats having scored a 15th, 16th and 14th today.

Tomorrow is forecast to be a breezy and maybe wet day for the race round the island.

Meanwhile news is that Trevor Drew and Richard Palmer are in Kinsale after the first leg of their Round Britain and Ireland two-handed race. We wish them well for the next leg.

Oh no, not again!

2010-06-09T09:10:00.002+01:00

Last year the IDOR was a driftathon, so it was nice to be blasting along barely in control under grey skies, yesterday. But today racing has been postponed and the water is like glass. Hopefully a breeze will pick up later and in any case we have a promise of lots of wind tomorrow for the race round the Isle of Wight.

Sleigh Ride

2010-06-08T23:13:00.003+01:00

After last year's regatta of no wind and much frustration it was a change to wake up to torrential rain. It cleared and we headed out to a decent force four start to our campaign and first race. This was the long inshore race - a beat up to Hurst and out through the north channel and Christchurch bay round a racing mark whose name escapes me, and back again. Those simple words don't reflect the reality. Our start was adequate and we spent the beat making some ground on other boats before rounding the racing mark.

Once round Hurst - much easier than last year in the SW wind - we hoisted the kite for a long sleigh ride back to the line off Cowes. We were happy with 9th place and Peter the novice bowman was initiated into the delights of the broach en route. A brilliant sail all round. Everybody worked hard.

The second race of the day was the first inshore. From the start we beat west to Gurnard then a short reach and a long run. The wind had built and the ambitious who launched a kite had a mixed time of it. Our result of 13th out of the 20 entrants was enough for us.

This evening we visited the Royal London for drinks before retiring to the Pier View for a small sherry and canapes.

IDOR 2010

2010-06-04T13:13:00.002+01:00

It's that time of year again. June has come around and preparations are in hand for the Civil Service Offshore Racing Club's (CSORC) entry in the Civil Service Inter-Departmental Offshore Regatta. OK, that's the acronyms out of the way.

On Sunday the crew assemble at Port Solent and take over our allotted Sunfast 37 for the next five days. We shall be preparing the boat prior to departing for the Solent on Monday for some practice. There's a practice race off Cowes at 16:00, then we go into Cowes for a skipper's briefing.

Racing proper starts on Tuesday with a long and short inshore race. We shall be posting updates as they happen (wifi permitting).

Nick Bowles

Hello clouds, hello wind ...

2009-06-05T20:47:00.002+01:00

The day dawned bright, a bit chilly, and by no means wind-free. A ten o'clock warning signal meant that crews could recover from a late night.

The course was out east to Warner, just beyond the forts, then back to Spit Sand fort. The tide was building strongly against the start so most chose to start inshore, even amongst the moorings just off the Shrape. It was a spinnker reach but approaching the headland of Norris the wind was really fluky and those who had gone offshore seemed to have the better of it. As the wind came ahead many were forced to bear away, while others dropped their kites. Our aim was to stay over the banks but whatever we did we were slow and fell behind.

From here things were uneventful. We rounded Warner with 21 a long way in front, and 5 a long way behind. So we just relaxed while trying not to take our collective eye off the ball. We crossed the finish line (Spit Sand bearing 270) at 13.38 and headed for Portsmouth and Port Solent. Not a great performance for us but we had sailed every course without major mishap and had used the kite on every downwind leg and even the occasional close reach. A great week. Enough said.

Dinner at eight

2009-06-05T19:37:00.004+01:00

Last night something like 200 sailors assembled at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes to celebrate another successful IDOR and to award prizes. Matching crew shirts were widespread, and spirits were up. Prizes were awarded by CSSA Commodor Alex Allan, while "Mr IDOR" Pete Shuttleworth played master of ceremonies. Despite the cancellation of racing during the day many of the fleet had taken to the Solent and enjoyed the afternoon's breezes, while others had headed to the Folly or the creeks, so appetites were honed for a delicious meal centred on rack of lamb.

My crew were a bit disappointed by the potato ration but they'll be all the better for it in the next light wind regatta. They also expanded their culinary vocabulary to include such exotic terminology as "tian".

For me the highlight of the night was Trevor Drew auctioning off his foredeck crew in aid of the RNLI. I think £81 was raised. I should say that this wasn't a permanent arrangement - just a foredeck swap for Friday's racing. Great idea Trev.

Racing called off for the day

2009-06-04T14:33:00.004+01:00

Sitting in the Yacht Haven, racing having been abandoned for the day. The Bramble Bank weather station is showing 8 knots but the crew have defected to Cowes town.

The marina is filling up with boats for the IRC regatta which starts tomorrow.

More light winds

2009-06-04T11:26:00.002+01:00

We started racing on time, at 8:30 this morning, heading east to North Ryde Middle but before too long the wind died and one by one the yachts starting crossing the line backwards as the tide strengthened. We now await Race Control's decision at 13.00, as to whether we resume racing. We are hopeful of a bit of breeze later but we'll see. Meanwhile those crew who aren't dismantling the water system in the boat have gone shopping in Cowes.

Nick

At last, some wind

2009-06-03T17:39:00.000+01:00

After spending most of the morning enjoying a bit of rest and relaxation we decided to go out for a sail just after 11. We found 14 knots of wind and were spotted from the ISC race office, so a race was quickly convened and we had a cracking couple of races in the afternoon.

Our boat didn't do particularly well in the results but we had great fun sailing round the course and using our lovely orange kite at every opportunity. The sun shone and it was warm. Tomorrow we have more inshore stuff and on Friday there is talk of an offshore race to Bembridge. Wooohoo!

Nick

Waiting for wind

2009-06-03T09:20:00.001+01:00

We are all sitting in Cowes Yacht Haven enjoying the morning sunshine. Racing is postponed pending review at midday. The wind out in the solent is about 3 knots, but forecast to pick up a bit in afternoon. Slightly frustrating, particularly after yesterday, but this is sailing. Watch this space.

Nick

Pooh sticks in the solent

2009-06-02T18:28:00.002+01:00

The morning started bright and early with a west-going tide, a light breeze from the north with just a bit of east in it, and a fleet of bleary-eyed IDOR competitors jilling around just to the east of the start line. We got off to an indifferent start but made good time inshore on the island side before we blew it, going inshore for the Yarmouth-Hurst slingshot. This put us much further down the fleet.

From here the fun began. We skirted Hurst spit and arrived at the North Head buoy around 9.30 with the tide not due to turn east until 12.00, and the wind failing. We spent forever jousting off Hurst - as much time going backwards as upwind. The wind came and went but the upshot of it all was that only half a dozen boats finished inside the time and we were timed out within spitting distance of the finish line.

By then everybody was roasted in the sun and happy to knock racing on the head for the day. At 3.30 this was made official. Three or four boats including this club's Captain managed to find the bottom in an attempt to cheat the tide by going inshore.

A frustrating and hot day. Tomorrow looks cooler but not an windier, so the RTI has been canned and we are going to have as many short races as the wind allows.

Time for a few cold ones now.

Nick

Day one - practice

2009-06-01T22:36:00.003+01:00

After a long wait for the Sunsail guys to fix the windex we were off at, oh, 11 o'clock this morning. The wind had been blowing surprisingly strongly in the early hours but by the time we hit the Solent it was pretty modest. We hoisted the kite and headed towards Cowes to pick up Young Nick. The kite and main are crisp and point really high. Fingers are now clearly crossed for some wind for the week because things are looking a bit marginal.

Tomorrow is the "offshore", probably out to North Head. And hopefully back. We will see.

Nick

2009-05-29T20:59:00.002+01:00

Having spent the last few days finalising the crew and sending out joining details, now is the time to start looking at the racing and the conditions we shall be experiencing. Today has been hot, and the forecast is for high pressure and easterlies until Friday, when a bit of rain and a south-westerly comes in. Either way, unless things change it looks like another light wind regatta. I might have to pack the luggage scales and give the crew's baggage a check before allowing them on board.

Nick

CSORC and the IDOR

2009-05-25T14:15:00.000+01:00

The Civil Service Offshore Racing Club is one of 25 entries in this year's Interdepartmental Offshore Regatta (IDOR) and we will be keeping you up to date here as things develop.
Right now we have a full crew, the boat is paid for and it's time to start thinking about putting stuff together ready for next Sunday. Watch this space.

Nick