Just results, comments later. […]

This week we were dealt a gale warning. While the skippers were consulting their auguries the wind at the Boat Haven, which had been increasing all afternoon, was light and unstable. Speed varied between 3 to 10 kts with occasional gusts, the direction varied 20 or more degrees either side of magnetic West. There was little indication that a big blow would arrive any time soon so the fleet opted to go out for a race with a dock start. At the dock the wind was much steadier in direction, cycling 5 deg either side of West, making YT a [...]

During the day the wind was very light and variable, but by mid afternoon it became warm and sunny and the wind began to strengthen and settle on a steady direction. When the Committee Boat arrived on station to set up the course the wind was 8 -10 kts with a few small, short lulls and gusts. The wind direction was steady at 290°M which made I/T a fair W/L course. To make good use of the good conditions it was decided to extend the distance, and practice a downwind finish, so course SITIF (41/3 nm..) was set. Just before [...]

This week we had a dock start.  The wind at the dock was very unstable, 6 – 8 kts. with long lulls to 3 kts and sharp gusts to 12+. The wind direction cycled between 250° and 290°M.  The onset of rain did not change the wind. The wind had been checked earlier at the Boat Haven and had been found to be much steadier, ~7 kts from 280°, which made YT a good W/L leg, so course SDYTYDF (5¾ nm.) was set. A reaching start in such an unstable wind makes it very difficult to judge speed, time and [...]