"Uncle Bobs" Saturday 12 September 2015
Published 16:14 on 18 Sep 2015
"Uncle Bobs"
Baby Bobs
Here is the report for Baby Bobs (which some of our Peanuts want to rename to "Mini Bobs" as they aren't Babies anymore!!!!)
It was a great turnout across all Uncle, Cousin and Baby Bobs and the weather held fair for this super annual event.
Baby Bobs had three races in Oppies, plus a final race. Run from the Hamble Shore, the competition was calm but focused! First off were Alfie Bolden, Ruby Callaghan and Beau Mitchinson, with Bertie Edmonson, Merric Munday and Monty Ross in the following leg…..finally Joseph Taylor and Thomas Saunders were accompanied by young Ruby Callaghan taking another turn round the course. After the three heats, the finalists made a final push with Alfie Bolden coming first, Joseph Taylor taking second place and Monty Ross coming third. It was a fabulous effort by one and all – particularly as none of them had ever taken part in any type of competitive racing – or sailing around a buoy! They were all very well supported by enthusiastic parents shouting encouragement from the shore – well done indeed to one and all!
It was wonderful to also have Peggy and her friends join us at the Shore to give us the historical background of the 80+ years of Uncle Bob's racing legacy.
Richard Foulkes
Cousins Bobs Oppie Racing
A fantastic turn out of young sailing talent, on a weather variable day.
The sun was trying to break through with the wind forecasted to ease. Twelve young sailors listened to the briefing about sailing around a triangle course. An enthusiastic discussion was had regarding the correct way to sail around and what happens when hitting marks or other boats! The jolly crews were divided into two heats with the first race starting just after midday. The top three from each group would enter the final. A briefing comment about being near to the start line when the whistle sounded, was listened too by all, but only managed by a few!
In the first heat…..
Emily Bruschett was soon in the lead after setting off to the right hand side of the course. Sam Peattie went left (quite a long way left) but managed to put in a good second place at the first mark. Archie Playford was close behind followed by Freddie Callaghan and Dylan Munday. Alex Back decided not to race and therefore became an integral part of the crew on the RIB Liz J. The RIB had a dual role as 'committee boat' and children's (race crew) crèche. Alex was cheering on her fellow sailors and helping to count down the start. This fleet raced in the light variable winds which made sailing in one direction difficult at times and places swapped on a regular basis just like pop corn in the microwave.
Emily eventually made it home first with Sam second and Archie third. A splendid achievement and some good sailing skills shown. Freddie and Dylan were close behind and although frustrated with their positions performed really well with lots of future potential.
Heat one results / top 3 to go to final
1st Emily Bruschett
2nd Sam Peattie
3rd Archie Play ford
4th Freddie Callaghan
5th Dylan Munday
The second heat was started shortly after the change of boats, and a few running repairs.(I think it was Sam's or maybe Archie's mast that lifted out while sailing! but swift attention by the dynamic rescue boats avoided a disaster)
The sun was still shinning but the wind had picked up. Again the start line was a challenge for most to reach, but eventually all were able to clear it. The wind had moved to the right and Elspeth McFarlane set a course towards Bursledon! She was closely followed by Hennie Burlton and Molly Slattery. Eventually the girls tacked back towards the first mark and managed to keep this order until the finish. Olivia Walcroft was in touch with the leading boats and Jacob Paine and Charlie Luescher followed close behind. The sailing skills shown by all were impressive.
Everyone was a winner in these tricky conditions and learning, with enjoyment, appeared to be had by all.
Heat 2 results / top 3 to go to final
1st Elspeth McFarlane
2nd Hennie Burlton
3rd Molly Slattery
4th Olivia Walcroft
5th Jacob Praine
6th Charlie Luescher
The final was made up of the top 3 boats from each group. By this stage the wind had strengthened and the movement of boats across the start line was quicker. Three boats were so close to start line as to nearly call a general recall!But, somehow we managed to let them all go. The competitiveness was evident and will make for great sailing in the future.
Elspeth managed to grab the lead and by the first mark was followed by Emily.
Hennie was close behind followed by Sam.
Archie and Molly battled it out but were still close - and in with a shout. By this stage the wind had picked up, and several tacks were required to round the first mark. Elspeth managed not to capsize on an exciting gybe down wind. She did run over the start line buoy which held her up for a while but quick thinking of lifting the center board saved the day. Molly was not so lucky with the downwind run and visited the water, but was able to make it back in one piece. A great day by all.
FINAL results
1st Elspeth McFarlane
2nd Emily Bruschett
3rd Hennie Burlton
Everyone else was a winner
All the sailors have great potential and it is wonderful to think that there is another cohort of enthusiastic children coming through. Thank you to Craig, Adam, Neil and John for heroically manning the rescue boats, and for April for collating the results.
As regards the results, everyone was a winner, even the parents! They should all be proud of their achievements and I will organize another race regatta soon
Well done to all
Mac
Uncle Bobs
There was a small group of four cadets for the Uncle Bobs trophy, but all experienced sailors, so we set a course out by Cat Head buoy. The sea was quite choppy, which was a change from the smooth water in the river, which provided an added challenge.
Race 1 was started in lighter winds than expected, with Elliott Exton taking the lead, followed by Alice Ryan, Oliver Ryan and Eleanor Yonge.
The wind picked up for the second race, and shortly after the start Eleanor capsized, with Oliver following suit half way up the beat. Once again Elliott was leading until he capsized at the gybe mark, allowing Alice to win the race. This gave Alice and Elliott equal points.
Eleanor and Oliver now seemed to spend more time in the water, rather than on it so decided to miss the last race, and sailed back to the club.
The 3rd race started and Alice and Elliott closely matched up the first beat and down to the gybe mark, where they both capsized, turning this into a race to who could get back upright and sailing first. Alice won that part of the race, but then as she sheeted in, her mast snapped, leaving Elliott to win the race, and to retain the trophy for the second year running.
This was a challenging and longer course than the cadets are used to sailing, with waves to contend with as well, so all the sailors did well and deserved the few slices of pizza left by the Cousin and Baby Bobs.
William Yonge
Last updated 13:16 on 16 April 2024
