tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71284516366543131262024-03-19T11:25:49.184+00:00CSORC at the IDORCSORC in the Interdepartmental Offshore RegattaCSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-18326939323972634472013-05-29T20:22:00.002+01:002013-05-30T16:05:50.499+01:00IDOR 2013 Tuesday Round the IslandUp shortly after six to get ready for the round the island race - start time eight a.m. The forecast is looking good with NW winds of 3 to 4, and a favourable tide.<br />
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The tide was with us all the way down the western solent so the question was how far out into the channel to go. We settled for inshore to start then going slightly further out until Yarmouth and taking the "slingshot". This seemed as good as any until just before Yarmouth when we were too far downwind to hold the kite and lost out to those that did.<br />
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We made up a bit of ground on those that got carried too far down tide of Bridge, and a bit more on those who were aground on the Shingles bank! We rounded tight to bear away down the outside of the island. The best route in these tides is usually to head straight towards the coast a mile or so west of St Cats, but we had to consider the iffy winds off the high cliffs in this NW wind. We stuck to the usual plan and arrived off St Cats with some trepidation as the gusts off the headland can be strong, only to find a big wind hole. A big chunk of the fleet bunched up and places weren't so much swapped as put into a big hat and pulled out again blindfold so see who set off first. This all took about half an hour during which time we raided the greedy bin.<br />
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Eventually we were off and heading for Bembridge. The skipper took the opportunity to go below and check that the bunks were all in order, emerging some while later to find us gaining on the boat in front. The sails were quickly adjusted and we fell back promptly.<br />
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As we were now near the back of the fleet we were able to relax and start to share the fun around. Sue had a go on the helm and tacked neatly round Bembridge Ledge cardinal and in towards the island shore to dodge the tide. There was only one boat behind that we could see and it was a long way off.<br />
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The sun shone weakly, it having been pretty overcast all day, as we made our way up the edge of Ryde sands, leaving the red posts to port and admiring one of our competitors stuck on the sands. They got off under engine and continued sailing. Shortly after this we were passed by the boat that had been behind and "a long way off". B*****.<br />
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A couple of boats including the one that had been stuck had gone well inshore but we thought that the rhumb line was good enough as we were in only about 3 metres, however the inshore boats did pull ahead. When we got to Norris there were about four of us in proximity but the feared Norris "Nadgers" did their worst and we played pooh sticks for a while, just off the beach. When the wind picked up it was from well west of north and while two boats headed inshore through the moorings off the Shrape we stayed a bit further out. Surely they would hit the mud and we were in business, but no first one then the other tacked and headed for the line. As we were on starboard and going well we might, just might make the line before the boat just in front, particularly as they were going to have to tack to get inside Snowden. And so it was that we just pipped them to grab second to last!<br />
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And so it was that we headed into the Yacht Haven at 19:20, a full twelve hours after we'd left in the morning. We later learnt that we had 16th place as Suzanne had retired after grounding. <br />
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<br />CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-73820740431825541482013-05-29T20:11:00.001+01:002013-05-29T20:21:39.877+01:00IDOR 2013 Monday 20thLast year we introduced a real race on the Monday after several years of "phoney war" Mondays. The idea had a mixed reception, in part due to the lively conditions we experienced, which limited the practice that was practical. This year it seemed to work better as we just popped out of the Hamble and straight into some tacking practice in Southampton Water.<br />
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A bear away down to the Solent proper and a reach off up the western solent eventually led to some tentative spinnaker work. The assymetric spinnakers were easy to handle and encouraged a bit of adventure. We managed a few hoists before heading over to Cowes and the Island Sailing Club start line for the first race. This was to be a simple offshore race but somehow this hadn't got through to the Island Sailing Club who set a course round the cans. With a downwind and downtide start this was a bit of a baptism of fire that would have been a problem with a different boat. As it was we managed fine, until the first spinnaker leg.<br />
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During the hoist the kite halyard shackle came off and we were left with a flailing halyard half way up the mast. Nobody fancied a mid-Solent climb so we settled for a series of white sail downwind legs which was a bit frustrating but this only counted for single points despite being an "offshore" race, right? Wrong - the SIs hadn't included this piece of information so the committee had to award double points.<br />
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Anyway we didn't exactly set the field on fire as we were so slow downwind but we regained some ground on each upwind leg finishing 16th out of the 18 boats. CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-75257652238513589902013-05-29T20:02:00.003+01:002013-05-29T20:02:53.849+01:00IDOR 2013Once again CSORC has a crew together for the IDOR. We had planned to get two boats organised but time and complications thwarted our efforts, so one it had to be. This year the boats were from Fairview Sailing - Oceanis 37 cruisers with coachroof mainsheets!! Uurgh.<br />
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In truth we thought the choice of boat, while not ideal, was good as Sunsails F40s are just too big for many sailors. Just lifting the spinnaker pole is a job. Even bringing the large and heavy spinnaker up from below sometimes needs two people. Anyway it is off to the Hamble we go. Very upmarket after Port Solent.CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-79057430469469469282012-06-24T09:09:00.001+01:002012-06-24T10:15:09.812+01:00IDOR 2012 - Friday Passage Race to PortsmouthOut with a bang, not with a whimper. We were gilling around at the start for this race in some pretty breezy conditions, with the wind whistling over the hill west of Cowes. The tide was going west so keeping inshore would be favourite, though with an eye on the Norris Nadgers, the variable and unreliable wind coming over the hill by Norris castle.<br />
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Once the race started the wind seemed to be dropping right off so most boats headed further offshore in the wind shadow off Norris. The light wind persisted into Osborne. We were about mid-fleet. Most boats had started with one reef but gradually heading down the island shore in the shallow water reefs were shaken out. One or two boats tried a spinnker but for most it was too close and faster with white sails. Passing Ryde the wind picked up considerably. We held on to full sail thinking that this was wind accelerating over the land.<br />
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With the foul tide everybody went between the forts and Ryde red post, by which time there were a few broaches amongst the full-sail boats. Still we held on. Approaching Warner we were thinking we could really do with less sail but in the interests of not losing places held on, executed an excellent gybe at Warner and headed for Gleeds, just west of Spit Sand fort which was the finish line.<br />
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If anything the wind was increasing so we tacked round at Gleeds and gave away a place in so doing. With nobody close behind us and in the interests of keeping the goose-neck so repeated this action to round Spit Sand and cross the line, for a spectacular end to the week. We briefly saw a gust of 37 knots on the approach to Portsmouth harbour. And the sun shone all day.<br />
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All in all a great five days. I never understand the boats that retire or don't compete on the Friday racing just so they can go home early, particularly on a sunny windy day like we had just had. Yet again we were beaten by CSORC 2.<br />
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Not a brilliant set of results for us but the crew did really well and the only disappointment was that the windy conditions and reaching legs meant that the foredeck crew had less fun things to do than they might, but that's offshore racing.<br />
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<i>Nick Bowles, CSORC 1</i>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-56547934402486118322012-06-19T08:14:00.001+01:002012-06-24T09:10:31.219+01:00IDOR 2012 - Thursday inshore races<span style="font-family: inherit;">The inshore races on Thursday were perfectly scheduled. Firstly, it was the day of the regatta dinner so we could be sure we wouldn't be stuck somewhere off Ryde as the dinner started. Secondly it was pretty breezy and would have been a bit lively outside the Solent. And finally there were three classic yachts racing in the Solent very near to where we were.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday’s trio of races used committee boat starts giving more choice of starting areas. Once again the wind speed meant “no spinnakers” were signalled which, if not playing to our strengths, meant our potential weaknesses were less exposed. Race 5 was twice round a sausage where CSORC 2 learnt only for the second lap that goose-wing was the best down-wind set - only 11th place. Then another setback, as the start of Race 6 saw us being pushed outside the committee boat so we had to tack round and start again in last place. Even so we made up a few places to finish 11th again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">An excellent start to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Race 3 was made even better by 5 boats being called OCS, and then came a bold move. A large tow heading West threatened to split the fleet crossing its path southwards to the first mark. We had put ourselves on the lay line, but could we clear the stern of the tow without tacking? Intense focus on the transit and Andrew’s superb helming meant we cleared the tow safely, made the mark in 2nd place, and held it round the next mark. But another tactical error by skipper Phil lost us a few places so that we finished 6th just ahead of CSORC 1.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The prizegiving after the Regatta Dinner on Thursday evening saw CSORC go up four times to receive silverware, bottles, and a first time skipper medallion. CSORC 1 won the Elite Cup for the most improved boat, while CSORC 2 won not only the pontoon party prize but also the CSORC Shield for the leading CSSA club boat. It was the first time the club has won its own trophy, and the target for next year’s IDOR is to hang on to it!</span></span></div>
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<i>Nick and Phil</i>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-10203741674239595652012-06-16T21:40:00.003+01:002012-06-21T10:58:22.147+01:00IDOR 2012 Round the IslandThe Round the Island race is the highlight of the IDOR. Some years it doesn't happen due to tides or weather, and this year there was a risk of too little wind.<br />
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The warning signal was at 7 o'clock if I remember correctly. Yes, I know, but apparently there are two seven o'clocks every day. CSORC 1 played it safe staying close hauled in the very light south-easterly winds and strong west-going tide, until 30 seconds from the start when we bore away and headed for the line. We weren't first over the line by any means but several boats missed the line altogether, or were over early, with no hope of ever sailing back. One boat simply parked on the Trinity House buoy - the outer distance mark.<br />
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We did really well for the first half of the run west, hoisting the kite for the first time and keeping out in the stream. Gradually we overhauled all the boats on the island side. We knew the tide was a bit stronger inshore after Hamstead Ledge but weren't quick enough getting in and several boats got ahead. Once past Sconce we were headed and dropped the kite for a close reach up to SW Shingles, the first mark of the course.<br />
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Tacking for the mark we were denied water by a boat over which we had a massive overlap (while on port). It wasn't worth risking a collision and in luffing we stopped dead in the slop and light wind. We struggled to get up to speed after that and somehow ended up in a familiar place - back of the fleet. A quick check for a bucket tied to the transom revealed nothing.<br />
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We stayed out despite a weak contrary tide, thinking that the wind would be cleaner, and could just about fetch Atherfield Ledge where the tide would first turn eastwards inshore. Before we got there Andy on bow called a lobster pot dead ahead one hundred metres. Despite this warning the pot seemed to exert a magnetic influence and one minute we seemed to be sailing well clear and the next minute we had stopped. Not a bucket but a pot tied to the transom. Quick easing of the sails got us free.<br />
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Once round St Catherines we headed straight for Bembridge Ledge (the second mark), sailing somewhat free. A bear-away spinnaker hoist at Bembridge had us being taken down by the tide on to two large moored ships. The gybe was taking too long so we dropped the kite and rolled out the jib, then gybed. This let one boat through. By now the thin cloud layer had gone and the sun was shining.<br />
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Once past the red post at Ryde Sands we hoisted the kite on port and flew past Paul Free's SOCA 1 entry as if they were standing still - which they were, being aground on the sands. I've done a few races round the island, both in the IDOR and the big Round the Island Race, and usually you end up with a tricky beat against the tide, trying to get as far inshore as possible without running aground. But this time it was easy <span style="font-family: inherit;">peasy with a dead run down to Norris and then a small change of course to the line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, mainly by dint of other peoples' bad luck we ended up 14th.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">CSORC 2's round the island race got off to a slow start, with spinnakers down to </span><city><place><span lang="EN-GB">Hurst</span></place></city><span lang="EN-GB">, but there almost the entire fleet dropped kites within the space of a minute for the reach down the Needles channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time the tide had helped us out to SW Shingles, neck and neck with CSORC 1, the breeze had picked up, and we started a long up-tide beat to St Catherine’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting the right distance inshore/offshore proved elusive, and we fell back to around 17<sup>th</sup> place until some more shore-hugging off Ventnor and Shanklin made up some places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rounding Bembridge Ledge, hoisting the spinnaker, and </span><personname><span lang="EN-GB">Andy</span></personname><span lang="EN-GB">’s sweet trimming saw us drawing well clear of the six boats behind and making good ground on those ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a tactical error of not going inshore to Osborne bay and gybing (not yet practised) meant we lost two places in the last two miles of the race, to end at 16<sup>th</sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or so we thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final results showed that five boats had been disqualified for using engines at the start, and we were placed 12<sup>th</sup>.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With all three offshore races complete, CSORC 2 had secured 7<sup>th</sup> place out of 20 overall, and been ahead of CSORC 1 in all three!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But so far we were untested inshore . . .</span></span></div>
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<i>Nick Bowles and Phil Armitage </i>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-24767100124035897452012-06-16T20:43:00.002+01:002012-06-20T07:52:37.298+01:00IDOR 2012 - Tuesday: the western solentAfter a foul wet and windy day on Monday we had an early start to catch the tide west on Tuesday, but thankfully the wind had moderated and the rain held off (more or less). Unfortunately summer temperatures also held off. The fancy instruments on the F40s told the awful truth - ten of your degrees centigrade, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">that was late morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Tuesday’s races were another offshore followed by an inshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first course was simple: cross the ISC start</span> line going west leaving North Head to port and finish. The wind was still from the north so it was again something of a procession with boats staying in the deep water and reaching under white sails. CSORC 1 kept to the main channel going west; crossing to Hurst and then sailing the rhumb line to North Head, somewhere mid-fleet. Coming back we were struggling to stay high and ended up fighting the tide mid-channel. We put in a tack to the mainland shore and ended up at the back of the fleet. No problem, our tidal advantage would pay off and we'd gradually overhaul the back markers. Well, it never happened and we ended up last!</div>
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But for CSORC 2, the reach down to Hurst was followed by some nifty shore-hugging tactics after rounding North Head, then crossing to the Island side for the reach back to Cowes, bringing an improved result of 7th for our second offshore. <br />
A break for lunch on the hoof and then an inshore race. For several of CSORC 1 crew this was a first round-the-cans experience; and a good one too. OK, we didn't do that well but everybody found it fun to be leaping around rather than sitting on the rail in the cold, on a white sail reach. 17th out of 19 but we were quite quick upwind at least. On the last run the wind went from "breezy" to "light" and we missed the chance to hoist the kite - not having practised this manoeuvre. <br />
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However, for CSORC 2 another setback in the form of a jammed furler meant we could not make the start of Race 3, so we retired to get it fixed in Cowes. Bill from Sunsail had the problem solved in minutes, which gave us time to prepare for the evening’s pontoon party with our paired boat (HASSRA/DWP). At Thursday’s prize-giving we learnt that Paul’s tin whistle and our guests’ “dark and stormys” had so charmed the judges they awarded us the pontoon party prize!<br />
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<em>Phil Armitage</em>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-70073712154789732042012-06-16T09:35:00.003+01:002012-06-20T07:40:00.275+01:00IDOR 2012 - Day 1<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the last few years we've kept up a regular blog from the IDOR, updating it day by day as the week progressed. I have to admit to complete failure this year, but the reason was a good one. Frankly it's been too busy with some fantastic sailing and lively weather. I hope to make amends with a report over the next few days.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">CSORC 2 crew of 8 met for the first time at the Sunday evening briefing in the Club bar, to find that we were all rejects from our respective department or club boats, having failed to make the initial crew selection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we soon got to know one another, checking the boat and stowing our personal gear and victuals, before dining ashore alongside the CSORC 1 crew.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday dawned wet and windy and all CSORC 1 plans to depart Port Solent at 9:30 went in the bin and we spent the morning setting up the boat and running through spinnaker hoists and drops, periodically retiring to the damp saloon to warm up. The weather was what is technically known as "filthy". Leaving the pontoon was a bit fraught as the strong northerly was threatening to blow us quickly off onto the mud, with only a large, barnacle-encrusted pile a few metres downwind to stop us. Anyway we got away at noon and headed out into the rain and wind. The first race was at two thirty with a startline off Sea View. Sea View Sailing Club very kindly did the honours with a committee boat start. We were very disorganised and a bit slow over the line. The race was essentially a bit of a processional reach off to Cowes but quite suitable for a shakedown in twenty odd knots. We crossed the Island Sailing Club finish line 15th out of 19 runners, the HSE 1 crew having had to go back to base to get their sail repaired. Once back we set about drying off ready for the evening at the ISC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For CSORC 2 Monday morning also brought a setback when we had to change boats to one with a working VHF set - quite understandable, but re-checking the inventory and re-stowing the gear left even less time for our untried crew to practise our spinnaker work. In the event the wind proved too strong anyway, and “no spinnakers” were ordered for the afternoon race from Seaview to Cowes. We put in two reefs from the outset, which paid off as we saw less-reefed boats struggling in the NW gusts, and we were well pleased to reach the top half of the table in 8th place for our first race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ashore we all had a pretty good dinner at the Island Sailing Club after which the skippers and pretenders went off for the briefing in a cold and windy tent. Not surprisingly the briefing was brief, given the temperature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to say that the ISC is one of the most enjoyable places to pass an evening: real hospitality and a great atmosphere.</span><br />
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<i>Nick Bowles</i>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-33842913151854308732012-06-05T19:29:00.001+01:002012-06-05T19:29:24.681+01:00IDOR 2012It's IDOR time again! The 2012 IDOR starts next Monday (11th June) and this time we have two boats entered under the CSORC banner. Phil Armitage is skippering one and Nick Bowles the other. We will try to keep all our followers updated during the week with news from both boats.CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-60166606627585752952011-06-11T12:52:00.002+01:002011-06-11T13:15:09.495+01:00IDOR 2011 Passage Race to PortsmouthFriday of the IDOR means a race from Cowes, via Warner to Spit Sand fort in the entrance to Portsmouth.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nick</span>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-35415934422541445222011-06-11T12:26:00.002+01:002011-06-11T12:52:20.079+01:00IDOR 2011 - Out WestThis year the tides mitigated against a race round the island, so a course out into Christchurch Bay was set.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The good winds meant we were back in time for a late lunch and a good rest in the afternoon sun.<br /><br />I've not got the results from the race at the moment but think we were around 9th.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nick</span>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-22141734088637449702011-06-11T12:13:00.002+01:002011-06-11T12:25:37.209+01:00Big WednesdayThe 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />By the last race most were reefed (including ourselves) and a few double reefed. Everybody was wet including the helm.<br /><br />We were 11th, 6th and 15th.<br /><br />An exhausting day but great fun.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nick</span>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-16646016646787458332011-06-11T11:47:00.002+01:002011-06-11T12:12:19.037+01:00Day two - the Nab and a short inshore raceThe 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nick</span>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-3931125167210705442011-06-11T11:39:00.002+01:002011-06-11T11:47:37.457+01:00Day one - practiceThe 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />So it was into Cowes for the skippers' briefing and dinner at the Island Sailing Club.CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-49245292902200177692011-06-11T11:34:00.003+01:002011-06-11T11:39:05.340+01:00WirelessPlans 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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nick</span>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-21159113020731893942011-06-04T09:45:00.003+01:002011-06-04T09:52:36.230+01:00IDOR 2011 - Racing Starts Tuesday 7th June<span>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.<br /><br />Wish us well.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Nick</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-44995684703235771592010-06-11T08:27:00.002+01:002010-06-11T08:43:14.229+01:00Round the IslandThe 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-65250839531895972182010-06-09T18:35:00.004+01:002010-06-11T08:26:54.991+01:00Phew!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYtCJkL1iZTPQBWliWMUHCahgsGrxy1Nl0A6qxF7EktGYl30eTQe1C3q3KcmqeMbJU9rUFmHJRAlOVSWfkgHwgGwzQU0OntAJKRAjoVNRUyVtUHLdSfYPftJQo2Xm7wCTQFRTSka5aLbF/s1600/idorcrew.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480837384068605266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYtCJkL1iZTPQBWliWMUHCahgsGrxy1Nl0A6qxF7EktGYl30eTQe1C3q3KcmqeMbJU9rUFmHJRAlOVSWfkgHwgGwzQU0OntAJKRAjoVNRUyVtUHLdSfYPftJQo2Xm7wCTQFRTSka5aLbF/s320/idorcrew.jpg" /></a><br />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. <div><br /></div><div>We are currently in 12th place out of the 20 boats having scored a 15th, 16th and 14th today.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow is forecast to be a breezy and maybe wet day for the race round the island.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div></div>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-65788126753883051472010-06-09T09:10:00.002+01:002010-06-09T09:12:10.874+01:00Oh no, not again!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.CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-77415285074621017112010-06-08T23:13:00.003+01:002010-06-08T23:21:55.854+01:00Sleigh RideAfter 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.<div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>This evening we visited the Royal London for drinks before retiring to the Pier View for a small sherry and canapes.</div>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-45005398544118029242010-06-04T13:13:00.002+01:002010-06-04T13:19:12.705+01:00IDOR 2010It'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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Racing proper starts on Tuesday with a long and short inshore race. We shall be posting updates as they happen (wifi permitting).<br /><br />Nick BowlesCSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-4272631793552180102009-06-05T20:47:00.002+01:002009-06-05T21:06:58.668+01:00Hello clouds, hello wind ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NoWCq0SAU4khojhiPtxxtlWcdaHojJMOqPvfJd75NKWTDaEWFe3W2JVJYcL5cZlfuuC23njC6q93B1upmP4iJfibiSirg3_sE7vUnpV8Ee5nYhT88CD4gNf5lIfa2xJq_vS1YgBrH1n3/s1600-h/P6050123.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NoWCq0SAU4khojhiPtxxtlWcdaHojJMOqPvfJd75NKWTDaEWFe3W2JVJYcL5cZlfuuC23njC6q93B1upmP4iJfibiSirg3_sE7vUnpV8Ee5nYhT88CD4gNf5lIfa2xJq_vS1YgBrH1n3/s320/P6050123.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343937434263938482" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-54263021329143894402009-06-05T19:37:00.004+01:002009-06-06T08:56:02.147+01:00Dinner at eight<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyIWgrGDCpQVX_rGf4XE6nEEF84aPQpHJY2Jtm67qLKYnXyUljQ6Y5lutFevCrpNBJRgpuDOIsx_vMbV2BTS5POCbo1qUel_6Pe2gTNqJtQ52oWXplke4BQ_BvTcJBr4sk0D0Fyn6PosS/s1600-h/Dinner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyIWgrGDCpQVX_rGf4XE6nEEF84aPQpHJY2Jtm67qLKYnXyUljQ6Y5lutFevCrpNBJRgpuDOIsx_vMbV2BTS5POCbo1qUel_6Pe2gTNqJtQ52oWXplke4BQ_BvTcJBr4sk0D0Fyn6PosS/s320/Dinner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343930845742315794" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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".<br /><br />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.CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-58831622421934879192009-06-04T14:33:00.004+01:002009-06-05T21:50:07.458+01:00Racing called off for the day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWiqz2k0tGyvy7MuRU_D75HfLMbJtL82HLgnVIj6p87hQy-j5C-n3tHSANYNnrUEr4aPugLj_dHaZ25G1fUXzD6jOZyNkjB6t6IeqR-O0_Bw8D81qgEdEpHZapxDrEDZTJ7MjWwl9VhlS/s1600-h/33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWiqz2k0tGyvy7MuRU_D75HfLMbJtL82HLgnVIj6p87hQy-j5C-n3tHSANYNnrUEr4aPugLj_dHaZ25G1fUXzD6jOZyNkjB6t6IeqR-O0_Bw8D81qgEdEpHZapxDrEDZTJ7MjWwl9VhlS/s320/33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343947844469709218" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />The marina is filling up with boats for the IRC regatta which starts tomorrow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkZXX_w2Of1UUMXj_EGSP2Kzn9ZYoWDRxYqxco2kq4NAaCsHWSeZ4NofbDagReVysMC1lryzTabC0BkL5cIxKduuGUJsPFoWhvISUGAPpQMnTac8nbdfGtiXHNFBqjAkTNDY1bky5KeJl/s1600-h/And+container.jpg"><br /></a>CSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128451636654313126.post-61665764563410368472009-06-04T11:26:00.002+01:002009-06-04T11:30:06.474+01:00More light windsWe 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.<br /><br />NickCSORChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10614440770383312453noreply@blogger.com0