2013 Millennium Bridge Race
Friday 29th March 2013 - Glasson Sailing Club
Please click on the photos to see a larger one.
Thanks to Ivan who was Officer of the Day and Doug who manned the Patrol Boat on his own
Eleven boats turned out on a day that promised to be exciting!
The course was across the line - no marks - round a pillar of the Carlisle Bridge
The wind was easterly F3 gusting F4 and occasionally gusting F5-6
Photo by Roger Dreamcatcher
Only two boats made it to the bridge, John & Ian's Bosun and Tony Rackham's Enterprise. John and Ian were the first to finish just ahead of Tony, winning without their handicap.
Martin decided that, as it was his first outing for a while, the conditions were too tricky.
Chorley John and Paul unfortunately capsized and Doug towed them back to the Club as Paul got dangerously cold.
Jack was having difficulty keeping his RS600 upright in the massive gusts so Dad John kept near him, they both eventually retired.
Michael and Steve were late starting because Michael was having difficulties rigging his Mirror on the shore.
Photos by John Hinas Moon
Steve coming back to help Michael finish rigging. Michael getting away followed by Gentleman Steve. At last Michael and Steve had an exhilarating sail both being up on the plane several times!
Photo by Roger Dreamcatcher
When Michael reached Snatchem's Secret Water and Dreamcatcher were 'hanging around' but both set off towards Lancaster. Peter was also ahead on the way.
Michael didn't know what to do eventually telling Steve he was going back, he didn't feel up to tacking all the remaining way to the bridge - the boom seemed very low and he was having difficulty getting underneath it?
I'm no sure how far each boat got, Steve got to the first quay where he said the river was stronger than the tide by the time he arrived there - this is probably as far as the other retirees got too. John & Ian and Tony may have reached the bridge soon enough to miss this phenomena
We must get/make a trophy for this race
Post Script
It was one of those days for Michael!
I started off catching the driver's wing mirror as I backed the car out of the garage, there's less than two inches to spare either side. I just couldn't believe I'd done such a stupid thing.
I packed the car and started out at the planned time. Passing the M55 turn off the low fuel warning light came on! Almost a panic but I thought surely there'll be enough fuel to reach the services at Forton. I reduced speed to 50mph, there was one sector (out of ten? still showing on the fuel gauge so there must be enough fuel left. This car has a better fuel consumption than the Agila and we tend to forget about fuel! I got to Forton and filled up, a bit expensive but I'm on holiday, I could have put enough to get me home in.
I got to the Club in one piece to have the gate held open for me - great.
Got to the Mirror and couldn't undo the lock holding it to the wire. My boat isn't insured if it's not locked to the wire. Scrounged some rust fly and borrowed a hammer, needed two, and eventually got the lock free. I thought I'd pull the boat up to the top of the slip. It was so difficult, first getting the wheels over the wire then trying to pull it. Steve took over but he gave up part way. Dennis had a go but he noticed starboard wheel was rusted solid. I got the hammer out of the garage and Dennis eventually got the wheel free. I had the jib on and the mainsail on the gaff.
I got changed, seems to take me a long time these days. I got the boat down to the water, by now creeping up the slipway. Ivan took my trailer, couldn't reach the securing line on the sea wall, the other trailers were under water by now. Tried to get the mainsail up but I'd got the ropes all twisted etc. At the end of the readjustments I couldn't reach the gaff halyard and I walked the boat out to the beach to finish rigging. Steve came to my assistance again. First thing Steve noticed was that I'd pinned the boom on upside down! I couldn't see the pin, no glasses and the wind howling around. Steve fitted the securing ring. Sail up! The forestay seemed slack but we couldn't get it any better. Steve pushed me off and I was away.
I noticed I had got the kicking strap anchorage on the boom in the wrong place but I'd need to stop to sort it out.
First two tacks and I left the jib cleated, don't know why I didn't capsize? Since Christmas I've been sailing the Topper which has no jib. I seemed to settle down and got underway tacking against the wind. When I got to the corner of the river there were waves and white water - wind over tide - but I kept upright and got to the calm stretch shielded by the trees on the starboard bank.
Big John had gone ashore and was watching over Jack who was capsized, Doug was around in the Patrol Boat but Jack got back upright.
Under the electricity wires and keeping to the channel markers. The Mirror started to plane now, which is a new experience in the Mirror. I got to Snatchem's and turned back to meet Steve who said he was going to try to get to the bridge if the conditions would allow. I followed him for a few minutes than decided to go back because I was having difficulty getting under the boom when I tacked - old age?
Back under the wires and suddenly I noticed that I had put the mast in the wrong mast step! There are two mast steps on the Mirror, one forward for a single sail. I'd put the mast in this one with shrouds rigged for the rear one - explains why we couldn't get the forestay right.
A little further on I noticed that I had both jib sheets on the same side, starboard - this is getting more than just old age! I think I set off right but I seem to remember readjusting the sheets at one point.
Anyway I got back to the slipway but the slip was blocked and the water was a metre up the wall. I messed around a bit but gave up and beached on the marsh. I walked in but could only just touch the bottom and my buoyancy aid kept lifting me up, waves. I got back up the slipway, which still hadn't cleared without any more problems.
Later I found I had a broken batten in the mainsail.
Despite all that I really enjoyed the exhilarating sail surrounded by the snow capped Lake District Hills and the Pennines and water on all sides, very little grass on view and some sunshine.