Racing Sunday 23.7.2023

Published 01:00 on 31 Jul 2023

Report Marcus Chavasse

Photos by Chris Wade

Sunday was an essay in reduced sail plans and having a hot meal in inclement weather. The Fastnet race had started from Cowes on Saturday with many of the lead boats demonstrating that sail plans selected for the forecast 30-40 knot winds were the best and these reduced the risk of over-heeling or having to retire. Surprisingly, at Tammy, it was only moderately windy with big holes. Thanks to Race Officer Chris Pollard and his team for organising.

Charles Fox in Genevieve selected a reefed main and succeeded in keeping the boat moving in a manageable way. It was good to see a Club Laser out with the smaller Radial rig again a good decision. In the Merlin race, Shoestring, out after a refit (additional built in bow buoyancy), decided to check this out after being hit by a huge gust and spent the last two laps sailing half full of water with both Paul J and Peter J alternately bailing! They did finish!

Jean-Michel cooked the first of what is hoped to be regular monthly Sunday hot lunches. The roast meal, which had filled the air with tantalising flavours beforehand, was much appreciated by those who had come to watch the fun on the water.

More photos from Chris Wade on the Tamesis Facebook page

Last updated 11:46 on 27 May 2025