The Carlsberg & Norman Shaw Trophy Races

Thank goodness this is the last very early Easter in my lifetime.  Cold, very cold and very very windy.

Friday, much too windy to sail, I didn’t even venture up!  I guess the Millennium Bridge Race didn’t take place.  Saturday not quite as bad but still much too windy.  Even the cruisers didn’t take to the water.

Sunday.  I understand the cruising fleet got together on Saturday night and decided to abandon their round the light races this Easter.  The wind was still northerly but at times it wasn’t too bad.  Martin turned up but Sammy wasn’t well and he couldn’t get a crew.  I can’t remember so few people being about on an Easter weekend?  Nick, Giles and Alex ummed and ahhed for a while and then they decided to take the plunge, or rather risk taking the plunge. This was the Carlsberg Trophy but the races also count towards the Norman Shaw Trophy Series.

The wind strength was very erratic varying from force three to six, the computer readout looked like very coarse saw teeth.  We hoisted flag ‘U’ which was a warning that the conditions weren’t suitable for inexperienced helms.

So we had two boats racing:  Nick Miller in his Blaze, 740, and Alex Stothert helming with dad Giles as crew in Alex’s National 12, 3277.

The first race was over a classic triangular course with a sausage – Tp – Hp - Tp - Hp – Cp x three laps.  As expected Nick shot into the lead, faster boat, and remained there. 

Nick out on his own in the first race.  Notice the snow on the Lake District hills.

Alex & Dad.  On their final lap, the first time round H, Alex and Giles capsized.  When they got upright and back in, the boat was full of water so they went ashore at Chapel Creek to empty the boat and then sailed back to the beach and retired, Nick was already beached having finished his three laps.

After a relaxed session discussing the race the competitors were keen to do another race however they requested a shorter simpler triangular course : Tp – Hp – Ap x three laps.  As a result of the ‘discussions’ the helms swapped boats!  Alex took out Nick’s Blaze and Nick helmed Alex’s National 12.

This time both helms kept their boats upright and Alex was the first to finish and winning after handicap.

Nick was the overall winner with a win and a second whereas Alex had a win and a retirement which made him a point lower than Nick.

Therefore, for the second year running Nick carried off the Carlsberg Trophy.

Jason Kennedy, GP14, helped with the OODing of the first race.

Let’s hope the wind is kinder tomorrow for those that turn up.  The first race is scheduled to start at 1145 hours and is planned to be round the lighthouse but it promises to be too windy to venture that far out.

Some gossip:  Alex is working for Minorca Sailing from late April to November so we will miss him.  Giles may race Alex’s boat with Kate as crew, hopefully Kate eventually helming.

I think Giles is thinking of selling his Blaze?