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The weather forecast for the long Jubilee weekend promised rain and winds
and the forecasters got it absolutely spot on. Sunday morning we awoke
to a damp and dreary day with a North-easterly wind blowing 3-4 down the
lake. The water tower faded in and out of sight as the intrepid Catapult
fleet signed on and prepared for the days racing. Following the recent
frantic Anglian Water activity pumping in water as fast as possible the
lake was almost full to the brim. Five races were scheduled, 2 before
lunch and 3 after. Following discussions with the race officer it was
agreed we would sail a triangular course starting with the catamaran and
asymmetric fleets, the first starts.
4 Catapults took to the water, Paul Ellis, George Evans, Calum, John
Terry’s grandson and John Terry. The course for the first race had been
set with the start line off Normanton church with a beat up towards the
NE shore. A port rounding of the windward mark offered the usual shifty
wind challenges and it was best to overstand the port layline to best
round the mark tacking onto starboard close to the mark. This required
some care to ensure boats approaching on starboard were not fouled. Once
round the windward mark the reaching mark offered a broad reach course.
In the mist and rain this was difficult to spot however a rib parked
next to the mark helped identify its location.
The downwind route towards the leeward mark offered a very broad reach
until the peninsular off Hambleton point was reached. Here the wind bend
turned the reach into a dead run. Was it best to go wide towards the
middle of the lake early on a tighter reach and then slower on a dead
run for longer or keep to the shore on a broader reach for longer but
sail further? Of course the winds shifts that were present made these
decisions more difficult.
The first race got underway with all boats getting a good start with
John taking the lead. The rain made it impossible to read the sail
tell-tails so it was seat of the pants sailing. The wind was strong
enough for trapeezing so Paul and John made good ground. Calum, 13 years
old weighing in at only 50kgs. was overpowered on the beats. FitOnce
round the windward mark and away from the fluky winds John led with
Paul, George and Calum hot on his heels.
On the run John sailed close to the shore with the others sailing out to
the middle of the lake. They all made good ground with Calum having the
advantage of his lighter weight. After 3 laps the finishing positions
were John, Calum, Paul and George. This was a great effort by Calum who
was sailing with an old and battered Cannon sail.
Below: John Terry
successfully defends the pin end of the start, in front of Normanton
Manor and Church (with Calum Terry, George's grandson, again joining the
fleet at Rutland, two-up in 313, with the TI Rig.)

For race 2 the reach had been made much tighter
and therefore a longer run. The wind remained blowing 3-4 and the rain
kept coming. Dry suits were definitely the order of the day. All the
boats got away cleanly and headed off to the windward mark with John
leading and the others close behind. The reach was much more challenging
with some stronger gusts giving exciting sailing. On the run the fleet
closed the gap.
The decision to go to starboard or port at the leeward mark was critical
and it proved best to go to the right hand side of the course. Once
tacked onto starboard this gave a lift half way up the leg making it a
shorter distance to the gate. John crossed the line first with George,
Paul and Calum following.
After race 2 we all returned to shore for a well-earned lunch, a warm up
in the clubhouse and to dry off.
Below:
Racing at Rutland Open, sunshine and showers:
Left:
George Evans looks back, chasing Paul Ellis downwind.
Right:
this could be what is
alarming George---the sight of John Terry coming down---but the results
show that John was more likely to be out in front.
 |
 |
The
rain and winds continued into the afternoon and race 3 started on the
same course as race 2. The winds were shifting more to the East. Paul
seemed to have got the bit between his teeth and was pushing John hard
all the way around the course. Downwind Paul was ‘hot’ and kept in touch
with John. Upwind John was pulling away from the others. Over the line
it was John being pushed hard by Paul with only seconds between them.
George and Calum followed.
Race 4 and Calum had gone off to play with his friends. Sailing against a
bunch of old fogies, his words not mine, does not help his street cred.
The race followed a similar pattern with the placing the same.
Race 5 and the rain kept falling. A little brighter perhaps but the wind
was still blowing. We all got away cleanly and headed for the windward
mark the same tactics working well. The winds around the windward mark
were getting more shifty so ground was lost trying to find the wind.
Once into the wind it was a good reach. John crossed the line first with
George behind, Paul scoring a DNF after a capsize and the boat
inverting.
A wet but very enjoyable day.In the evening Paul, Elaine, George,
Margaret, John, Sheila and Calum enjoyed a great meal at the local pub
the Wheatsheaf. It’s good to have a catch up and get the latest news
from around the catapult family.
(Below: George concentrates downwind.)

Monday dawned a much brighter day with the
wet stuff nowhere in sight. Paul had noticed that his mast had taken on
water and was not sure he could sail so he started to try and empty the
water out. We thought that it must have been due to the capsize however
George checked his mast which also had water in it. We concluded that it
must have been the rain from the previous day running into the bottom
section.
Race 6 started in much lighter winds which had swung round to a more
Northerly direction. John was late for the start and was concerned that
the course was not well marked on the committee boat. Paul was well
ahead with George following. Calum did not join in race 6. Paul managed
to find the windward mark and sailed a blistering race leading the fleet
to win with George and John following.
Race 7 and Calum started the race with the rest. John led the fleet with
places changing throughout the race. Calum retired and went off to play.
John led Paul and George over the finish line.
Race 8 and 9 followed a similar pattern. Paul had to leave early on the
Monday and did not sail the last race but Calum decided to have a go.
John had a great start and pulled away from the fleet upwind but was
caught on the downwind legs. As the final leeward mark was rounded Calum
and George had closed the gap. A big header took John away to the left
leading him away from the finish line whilst Calum and George had kept
to the right and were not affected. Calum had the speed over George and
crossed first followed by John and then George. Another great days
sailing ended with the final results John first, Paul second, George
third and Calum fourth.
RESULTS
Total Total
(one
discard)
1st John
Terry
1 1 1 1 1 (3) 1
1 1 2 13 10
2nd Paul Ellis
3 3
2 2 (5 DNF) 1 2 3
3 (3) 27 19
3rd
George Evans (4)
2 (3)
3 2
2 3
3 2
3 27 20
4th Calum Terry
2 4 4 (5DNF) (5)
5 5
5 5
5 45 35
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