Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Racing August 15th, 2021
Host Club: Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
Boats sailing:
- Victory IV (St Georges Dinghy & Sports Club)
- Challenger II (Sandys Boat Club)
- Contest III (Royal Bermuda Yacht Club)
- Elizabeth II (Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club)
Summary Report:
Sunday August 15
th did not look particularly appealing from a wind perspective early on Sunday morning. There was a large rain squall just to the northwest of Bermuda that was looking ominous, and the wind was non-existent (much as it had been for most of the week). Despite the visual conditions, the Bermuda Weather Service was forecasting a gradient wind from the northwest – albeit completely subject to whatever showers came through the local area. The decision was made – racing would take place!
Despite a slightly delayed initial start, Race 1 immediately provided some excitement as Elizabeth unfortunately capsized on the 1
st beat followed by a catastrophic boom break on the Contest as they rounded the leeward stakeboat for the 1
st time. That left Victory and Challenger to fight it out. Victory held the lead going into the last leeward rounding when there was a significant wind shift to the right allowing them to extend to the finish.
Race 2 was a little less exciting from a damage perspective, but there was definitely more close racing between the boats. With a slightly shorter course to accommodate a little less wind, the boats were overlapped at both ends of the course providing some close stakeboat rounding. Unfortunately, Victory misjudged the speed of Contest at the leeward stakeboat rounding and there was contact between the headstay of Victory and the boom/sail of Contest. Victory proceeded to take a penalty turn to exonerate herself on the upwind leg. Challenger sailed a clean race to take the win followed by Contest, Victory and Elizabeth.
Race 3 was little different from a wind perspective, but still served up some close racing. Mark roundings were tight once again with boats being overlapped numerous times. Victory had a stellar race staying clear of the rest of the boats and extended to a win followed by Contest, Challenger and Elizabeth.
The last race of the day was a makeup race from a missed race day earlier in the summer. Contest and Challenger seemed to have a slight edge in speed over Victory and Elizabeth in this race with Contest extending slightly to take the win over Challenger followed by Victory and Elizabeth.
High Point Boat for the day (counting the scheduled 3 races) was Victory IV (STGD&SC) with 10.5 points followed by Challenger II (SBC) with 9.25 points, Contest III (RBYC) with 7 points and Elizabeth (RHADC) with 3 points.
Overall Coronation Cup standings for the 2021 season (after today’s racing) are Contest III (RBYC) with 71.5 points, Challenger II (SBC) with 46.5 points, Victory IV with 37.75 points and Elizabeth II (RHADC) with 35.25 points.
Congratulations to all the sailors who took part! Thank you to all the volunteers on the Clevelander and the weather stakeboat Andante II. Special thank you to Crisson Construction for the use of Clevelander and Mickey Berkely for driving!
Next race day is August 29
th in Granaway Deep hosted by the RHADC. Hope we can see some more spectators for the final scheduled race day of the season! Remember that the final day will include the Jubilee Cup Match race between Victory IV and Elizabeth II as well as the 400
th Anniversary Cup match race between Contest III and Challenger II.
Race Officer – Craig Davis
| with
0 comments