Words by Alan Smith
I've been asked by Tim Octon to pen a few lines each week on the Twilight series race, a view from the back of NJOS. I'm the trainee on the mainsheet and this week was my first master class from Steve Cox, the incumbent.
The crew this week were, Shaun and Becky on the bow, Wayne, Alex, Nicky in the middle, Tom on tactics (sounds like a song line from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band), Tim on the helm and Steve on mainsheet with me asking silly questions. We were HEAVY. The wind at the start was good, from the SE but soon fell during the course of the race as the forecast had predicted.
We got off to a good start, down to After Barn, port rounding, kite up and off up the river. By this time Steve was giving me the finer points of mainsail trimming. Having only just recently got involved in sailing Steve's explanations were a revelation to me, a lot of good top tips. I now know why Tim feels confident with him in that position. Up to Admiralty North, a short leg back to the plug (Shemara). After this rounding I confess I can't remember the rest of the course, I was too busy with my master class from Steve.
The rest of the race ran like clockwork (not a sailing term, I know, but it fits) except for the main halyard shredding it's outer sheath, and with KoKo Kai, Starspray and Xtrovert in that order for the remainder and over the line. Line honours for us, but put into 2nd place by 59 seconds on corrected time by Xtrovert.
Must do better next time! Team talk afterwards, yes, could do better, those guys at the front of the boat have GOT to work harder and tighter, hey, we've got the back all sorted! I'm only joking guys, don't throw me in, you know my hair goes frizzy and I hate getting wet!
Thanks to the race committee for a great course, interesting short legs at the start, then we got into the groove. See you all next week. Alan
Twilight series racing in Southampton Water
Photos: John Greenway