Spring Series at Royal Temple Yacht Club - Day 2
by Peter Jackson 20 May 03:22 PDT
18 May 2025
Ramsgate harbour was rammed with Little Ships ready to leave for Dunkirk and the Medway Queen paddle steamer was arriving under tow as the second RTYC Spring series race (called 'Race 3' as the first race was not run) was due to start. The Queen, refitted but awaiting a new boiler, had made seven trips to Dunkirk bringing a record 7,000 soldiers back to Ramsgate. None of the 60 racers minded the delayed start as she negotiated the channel with her tow tug.
In 7-10 knots the IRC fleet was led away by Peter & Alex Jackson's Assassin, the highest rated entry at 1.135, on a two lap triangular course using the Gull Stream and Brake buoys offshore from Sandwich Bay. After a two mile beat against the tide Assassin had a 19 minute lead saving her time on the pack. John Barrett & Paul Woodwards X362 Stiletto led the chasing bunch, mostly rating between 0.958 & 0.995. David Tomlinson, who set the course, was steering Simon Northrop's Melges 24 Lock Stock, but with not enough wind to get her flying on the reaches.
Well in the mix was the lowest rated boat, the Poupard's X99 Expadite steered this week by ex X99 owner Mike Brand an ex X332 national champion. Mike was showing what X99's can do in light airs. Martin Law's Cork 1720 Flying Pig also liked the conditions, staying in touch. Peter Pearson et al's HOD 35 Buccaneer II, after an excellent start, suffered from her limited sail area and fell back, along with Gary Waters J97 Jura. Nick Rawbone's First 34.7 Warrior had no such problem in the light stuff and was holding on to Stiletto.
The wind was due to fade but after the delayed start it was the tide that slackened more during the last lap. Assassin got comfortable line honours but the changing tide brought the smaller boats flooding back home to take the chocolates.
Stiletto crossed second then Flying Pig, but Expedite crossed just 4 minutes behind Stiletto to correct 4 minutes ahead of her for a clear first place. Warrior stayed within two minutes of Flying Pig to beat her for third place by just 5 seconds, both relegating Assassin to fifth on corrected time ahead of Jura and those less happy in the lighter airs.
The local handicap class had a new winner in Anthony & Mark Dale's wheelchair-friendly Corby 26 Bad Boys, comfortably leading home Chalky White et al's less lively UFO 31 Manyana, with it's more lively mostly girl crew.
IRC top 6:
1st Expedite
2nd Stiletto
3rd Warrior
4th Flying Pig
5th Assassin
6th Jura