GBSC Cheddar Ales Chase

What an excellent weekend at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club for the Great British Sailing Challenge Cheddar Ales Chase!

We enjoyed four average lap races on Saturday, two back to back races in the morning, a break for lunch and two more in the afternoon. With steady westerly F4 winds all day (plus the odd spike of a high F5 at one point) we really did appreciate the lunchtime (recovery) break.

Races 1 & 2 were won by the Vortex with ALTO 123 managing 4th & 3rd respectively after a battle with the National 18.  Races 3 & 4 were dominated by the RS300.  ALTO 109 made a superb start in Race 4 and sailed a good beat right at the top of the pack at the windward mark.  ALTO 123 on the other hand was almost stationary at the start and suffered a “crewing deficiency” and subsequent swim at the windward mark involving a failure to attach the trapeze wire properly.

Sunday was the two hour Pursuit Race with the ALTOs starting at 38 minutes.  The wind had swung to the south east by then and was a few knots lighter, though sufficient to require trapezing for most of the race.

Thank you to all at BCYC for great racing and hospitality and the excellent food from Antonia’s Deli.

Results here.