The week’s preparations for this month’s Wee Nip medal race started on Thursday and Friday, with loyal EPSC members, Dave Alexander and Dave Pace performing the heroic task of goose poo shoveling to clear the wooden walkway (or, in goose dialect, public toilet) that fronts the clubhouse at Emberton. Club Commodore Luke Fisher had thoughtfully moved the ‘Green Goddess’ weed harvester to one side, on the Friday, giving Saturdays skippers a panoramic view of Heron water, the town behind and of course, the course.
Weather girl Sian Welby’s forecast had been sea miles better that of Mr Fishes 1987 faux pax, and with the predicted North Easterly fanning though the gap between two promontories, near ideal conditions prevailed for the 15 strong contingents. Ideal that is apart from the overcast sky and occasional drizzly douche. Who would have thought that in a day or two it would be Spring.Whilst the assembled group of Radio Sailors prepared their yachts, Alan Smedley and Colin Davies lay and set a course the local W.I. crochet group would have been proud of. Enter 2 enthusiastic sailors but only one boat. In the good hearted spirit that describes the Wee Nip class, a diplomatic solution was agreed that topped any made in Westminster. Luke Fisher and Rob Bell would share a borrowed Wee Nip and in return would take turn about to record the results.
Weather girl Sian Welby’s forecast had been sea miles better that of Mr Fishes 1987 faux pax, and with the predicted North Easterly fanning though the gap between two promontories, near ideal conditions prevailed for the 15 strong contingents. Ideal that is apart from the overcast sky and occasional drizzly douche. Who would have thought that in a day or two it would be Spring.Whilst the assembled group of Radio Sailors prepared their yachts, Alan Smedley and Colin Davies lay and set a course the local W.I. crochet group would have been proud of. Enter 2 enthusiastic sailors but only one boat. In the good hearted spirit that describes the Wee Nip class, a diplomatic solution was agreed that topped any made in Westminster. Luke Fisher and Rob Bell would share a borrowed Wee Nip and in return would take turn about to record the results.
You are probably reading this report to find out how great a time we all had in your absence, well, the steady onshore wind gave racing that was both close and enjoyable, and most sailors remembered that port always gives way to starboard. The keen ones among us realised early on, that by over standing the lay line and making a long approach on starboard, the top mark became a lot more manageable; and the young in mind and body even remembered the correct course.As an edition to the days event and in aid of ‘Sport Relief’, Peter Shepherd had suggested we hold a one off race at lunchtime with a mystery prize winner, ‘mystery man’ would be the finishing place that matched a number picked from a hat once the race has finished. And the mystery man was .. Peter Jackson (they seek him here they seek him there). John Simmons proved what a competitive sailor he is by winning both the charity event and by coming first overall in the heats, snapping at his heals was Keith Coxon, and then there were the rest.
I will not bore you with everyone’s placing as you can read yours below; suffice to say that a good day was had by all. True there was the occasional gear failure but tuning and fettling boats is what we do. The important thing is that you enjoyed your visit to Emberton and that collectively we were able to give £108.60 to people less fortunate than we lucky nippers.
I will not bore you with everyone’s placing as you can read yours below; suffice to say that a good day was had by all. True there was the occasional gear failure but tuning and fettling boats is what we do. The important thing is that you enjoyed your visit to Emberton and that collectively we were able to give £108.60 to people less fortunate than we lucky nippers.
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