VR Team News

VR arrived late into the Thursday night racing at KGSC and the wind decided to drop for the final lap which didn't help the RS700's.... Tony and Sam Cooper sailing in the Graduate took line honors and I heard that it was 'rolo' power that speed the boat into a lead. Solos were again out in force with Vince Horey leading the fleet and the poor RS700's (Bob Ladell and Mo Allen) fell back down the leader board with uncomfortable sailing positions of standing up against the mast!

 

No wind but lovely sunset sailing...

 

The Race Officer, Keith Humphreys, shortened the course to relieve the obvious tension as the wind dropped to nothing - ironically when the last boat finished a strong breeze flowed back across the reservoir.

Keith Humphreys - RO (the one with the pirate beard!)

 

Also after sailing Tom Gilbert (a very chuffed soon to be RS100 owner) sat down and discussed how VR was going to sponsor next week's London Youth Regatta 2011 - over 60 plus boats and loads of young sailors in RS Teras/ RS Fevas/ Laser Radials/ Toppers converging on King George on Saturday 18th June. We will be giving out the VR Outstanding Performance prizes and also a raffle of sailing goodies which every sailor gets a free ticket on entering the event.

 

Lasers coming up to the finish

VR popped into Broxbourne Sailing Club this Wednesday evening and watched some of the racing including the start.

 

Twenty two boats were out and the usual suspects were out fighting for position on the line - unfortunately Bob Tate/Nick Musgrove in the Flying Fifteen seemed to think the race had started a minute early and prematurely took an early lead but was called back - see photo below....

 

Two seconds to go and the startline huddle takes place with the Phantoms dominating proceedings....

 

After the gun and all boats were cleared Bob Faulkner, the seasoned Phantom sailor, lead from the start to the finish with Bob and Nick chasing after him in the Flying Fifteen to claim second place.

 

A beer and BBQ was enjoyed by all and talk was of the impending Commodore's Day (19th June) and the charity 24 hour sail (18/19 June) with the imfamous BSC BBQ on Saturday night. Not one to be missed - VR will certainly be turning up to sample a beer...

Off to King George SC and arrived slightly after the race start - Keith Humphrey (Race Officer) had his arm bent to make an easy course for the asymmetrics so the fast fleet of RS700's/RS300 went off blasting around with Steve and Lucy Corby closing following behind in their RS200. The Solo fleet had eight boats out with Vince finishing in the lead after some interesting luffing battles on the broad reach...

 

Also think I got nabbed by some of the committee to support the London Youth Games sailing event which is being held on Saturday 18th June - over 100 boats with sailors up to the age of 21 racing at King George - actually we at VR are delighted to support this event - brilliant to see so many youth sailors out on the water having fun!! So if you are interested in coming along click here for the London Youth Games Race Instructions

 

If you live in North London - pop up to KGSC on a Thursday night - great banter on and off the water with some very serious racing.

VR was out on the road on Wednesday evening and popped into Broxbourne Sailing Club first. Very popular night with various classes of boats on the water as well as 6 Phantoms - yes I know I should buy one and get back racing....!! I also bumped into the daughter of one of the Phantom sailors - Beth Lygoe who was putting the final touches to her new Laser mainsail which she is using at next week's Sail 4 Gold regatta at Weymouth. Beth is representing St Lucia and we all wish her best of luck with her Olympic campaign - local girl doing well!!

 

Then off to Fishers Green SC - by that time the wind had dropped and the lake was a beautiful mirror! John Donoghue - Wednesday night fleet captain crossed the finishing line first with big cheers across the water from many of the sailors. Gentle Jim and Jackie in their Wayfarer bought up the rear and remained on the finishing line for what seemed like ten minutes until they crossed just in front of a passing dragonfly!! All eventually ended up in the bar to quench their thirst after a painfully slow race.

Loads of work going on with the website and hoping that we can allow customers the facility to buy online very shortly. In the meantime off coaching tomorrow at Fishers Green with the Topper fleet with an extensive video de-brief of last weeks Open meeting and learning all those rules around the windward mark.

There were smiles all round and a sigh of relief too that the new VR Race Team's kit arrived back in time from the embroiders and they look great - we are using the Helly Hansen crew kit which fits snuggly (someone should keep of the pies for a while) and you can recognise us in the dinghy park with the big silver VR on our backs.

 

Fishers Green SC welcomed twenty-two Topper sailors from across the Eastern region to their inaugural Open meeting on Saturday 7th May. The event was sponsored by Virtual Rigger – the new chandlery supporting dinghy and keelboat sailors across the Herts/Essex region.

Race briefing was planned for 10.30am and the first race to start at 11am – no wind, plenty of rain and even thunderstorms arrived – was the weatherman’s prediction wrong of a good breeze and lots of sun?

The first race was postponed until 11.30am whilst the intrepid Race Officer, Dave Beer and his trusty Assistant Race Officer, James Le Couilliard went out looking for a decent race course. They obviously have some good contacts as the sun came out and the wind started to rise to a steady F2-4 through out the day.

Start gun went and a clean start – Kathryn MacRitchie from Stewartby Water SC took an unassailable lead on the first beat and guided the fleet around the Holyfield Lake until she crossed the line first. She was followed by Hugh Braidwood, Tim Le Couilliard and Harry James who fought for 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

A few sailors found out that Fishers Green has a few islands – which Ella Waples from the Corinthian Otters realised too late but still picked up 5th and also the VR Outstanding Performance Race 1 prize for her endeavours.

Many of the sailors and safety crews were worried that lunch was going to be delayed as they could hear the fire alarm constantly on the water – was it the fleet captain’s wife cooking? Thankfully it was just a flat battery which was eventually identified and lunch could commence.

Race two and the sailors were getting more confident, maybe too much – one general recall but then everyone settled down for a clean start. Jack Knight from Ely SC led for the first lap and was closely stalked by the ‘Silent Assassin’ Hugh Braidwood. On lap two at the windward mark, Hugh rounded first and went on to get his first bullet with Jack and Kathryn MacRitchie finishing 2nd and 3rd.

Christina Allen was awarded the VR Outstanding Performance Race 2 prize for her fantastic effort after a difficult windward capsize which took her five minutes to right after asking for no assistance from safety and then racing from last place through to a great 14th place.

Race three – all to play for with Hugh and Kathryn with one bullet each and covering each other at the start line which allowed Harry James from Stewartby Water to launch his ‘port end flyer’ to cross the fleet taking the lead. Unfortunately he was closely followed by the overall top two boats and was eventually passed with Kathryn in the front once again. Was it going to be Kathryn’s day? Maybe the gods were looking elsewhere and after passing the press rib with a wave, tragedy struck and her boom came loose, which allowed Hugh to catch up and eventually take the lead to win his second race and the overall Open Trophy. Jamie Gleaves who has recently joined FGSC, won the final VR Outstanding Performance Race 3 after sailing through most of his more experienced club sailors and he is still only ten years old.

Click here for the Youtube video of the day’s racing 

Fishers Green Topper fleet only started two years ago with six young sailors and now we have a growing fleet of over fifteen. The club has renovated four disused Toppers, which they now have centre-main sheet system, spars and foils in tip top condition, new covers and much more. So a raffle was launched to help with some of the costs. The fleet captain ‘gently encouraged’ many of the marine suppliers so many thanks to the following companies who supported generously in the current economic climate: Crewsaver, Harken, Helly Hansen, Marlow Ropes, Musto, Navimo, Neil Pryde Sailing, ProBoat, Rain & Sun, Rooster, Seasure, Topper Sailboats and Zhik.

Nearly £300 was raised and maybe some consolation for Kathryn MacRitchie as she picked up the grand prize of the new Topper mainsail! Comprehensive photo album of all the sailors can be found on Virtual Rigger’s Facebook page.

FGSC is enjoying its 50th anniversary this year and will be celebrated over the 18/19 June weekend – visiting yachtsmen/women are most welcome. Tickets and further information available on the club website.

Overall Results: 1st Hugh Braidwood (Beccles Amateur SC) 2nd Kathryn MacRitchie (Stewartby Water SC) 3rd Harry James (Stewartby Water SC) 4th Tim Le Couilliard (Fishers Green SC) 5th Jack Knight (Ely SC)

1st 4.2 rig, Isobel Stylianides (Stewartby Water SC) 1st Female, Kathryn MacRitchie (Stewartby Water SC) Youngest Sailor, Max Robinson (Fishers Green SC)

VR popped down to see what all the fuss was about with Thursday night racing down at King George SC - wonderful weather with a good F3-4 wind and beautiful sunset can't make better evening sailing conditions. There were RS200's, 700's, Lasers, Solos having a cracking time - note to myself....need to get out in a boat asap instead of watching from the bank. The usual suspects were there - Corby/ Allen/ Horey and all their children. One race and then off the water for some good spirited banter and a 'bring your own BBQ' - again note to myself...bring some food next time!!