With the forecast near the top end of the SORC risk assessment, the race committee had an earnest discussion about whether to set a course entirely within the Solent, send only the double handers around, or send the entire fleet around. The decision was made to use the RIOW (Round Isle of Wight) course for all but slightly delay and rejig the start sequence to reduce the exposure to wind over tide conditions. Not unexpectedly, a few crews decided not to start and a few retired, one giving the reason ‘not enough reefs’! The feedback afterwards was very positive, the mood being that while it was far from champagne sailing, there was a real sense of achievement.
The view from Becky on J/92 Brenda’s J
My copilot a.k.a. the Ships Cat Tom (Ginger and known for Cat like sleeping tendencies) highlighted the 2H RTI a few months back. The J/92 is not exactly an offshore boat but great fun to sail, especially in planing conditions. We spend most of our time racing fully crewed or with more than two crew but had completed in a JOG race last year two handed. Having checked the risk assessment which states SORC don’t tend to start races if winds are forecast over 25 knots……we felt we should give it a go….
Naturally before any sailing event much of the time is spent looking at every weather forecast and choosing the one that suits (it could be in another part of the world). On the day ahead of the race, we concluded that it was time for the three reefs cruising main rather than inshore racing mainsail. We opted to sail over on the Friday afternoon, three reefs and the number five proving the right sail plan. Race day….. strong wind warning. Hmm, we left the safe haven of Shepards Marina with one reef in the main and the 3.5 jib. By the time we got to start area it was time for the second reef (22 knots), a nice clear start. However, the ‘I think we need the third reef’ conversation was had within an hour of the start and concluded, yes we need the third reef. Being one of the smallest boats, we were also one of the shortest and suffered in the horrible wind over tide chop of the Western Solent. I’m sure we said ‘are we happy continuing…. why are we here?’ The wind was now 25 plus…..
Unbeknown to me at the time of entry Tom had the 2H RTI on his sailing bucket list, which he admitted as we bounced down the Solent. Approaching Hurst, the wind continued to be at 25 to 30 which is sporty for most boats and definitely uncomfortable for a J/92. ‘It’ll be fine when we get round the corner'…. We crossed tacks regularly with other vessels which is always good. ‘The bear away at the Needles will be good’ was in the front of our minds, ‘then we can point to St Cats’ …..
Naturally we had to share our story. Words of support had kept coming. One comment made us smile, ‘I’ve seen St Cats enough times this season, we kept safe at three reefs in the 3.5’. The leg from the Needles to St Cats was sporty and quick reaching with the same sail plan. The wind was still at 25-30……. We gybed at St Cats and shook out all three reefs and pointed the bows east towards Bembridge ledge. This is what we signed up for, the boat and the crew whooping in delight as the slog up the Western Solent was a distant memory, surfing and the occasional ‘shall we put the kite up, but actually look at the wind speed we don’t need to’, it was still over 20 knots, boats speed maxed out at 12.5 kts which was good evidence that we didn’t need the kite. From Bembridge to the Forts was lovely flatwater the boat enjoyed, wind down a bit, mostly under 25 knots. However we were soon putting reefs back in as pointing towards Cowes moved the wind angle forward. The last leg was choppy and not pleasant, in 25 to 30 knots, and we stayed inshore to make the most of the sea state if not the tide. We finished with the three reefs in the main and the same headsail we started with, competing the lap in just under 8 hours. One of the fastest circumnavigations of the Island either of us had done.
Sensible choices during the day meant no damage, no repairs, and the smallest and slowest boat to complete the course 2H. It wasn’t a small boat race this year! Big clear up back at Shepards and time for ‘coats to dry’. We enjoyed our supper meeting other competitors at the Island Sailing Club, but most of all the Cat was happy as he had his 2H RTI T-shirt and ticked one off the bucket list.