SORC Covid Shakedown Race

Moslty Harmless leading SORC COVID Shakedown Race Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
Moslty Harmless leading SORC COVID Shakedown Race Sunday 7th June 2020
Photo Rick Tomlinson

First, a big thank you to the Solo Offshore Racing Club for offering a start for double-handed crews alongside its opening race after lockdown.  Ten boats came to the line, in gorgeous sunshine and a 10-12 knot breeze from the west.  Mostly Harmless made the best start of the fleet, only to squander it in some short tacking up the Island shore before finding a gap to head over to the slacker tide off Lepe and take a lead that we held for the rest of the race, winning both on the water and on handicap.

Rick Tomlinson was out and took some great photos.  The one above is now the lockscreen image on Tom’s PC.  The proofs below follow the order of the race.

SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
On the line at the start, close to the pin
We shosuld have tacked while we could
We should have tacked while we could….
SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
…..instead we got trapped
although the plan was to get across the Solent
although the plan was to get across the Solent
Into the groove and rolled the Sunfast 3300
Into the groove and rolled the Sunfast 3300
and continuing to climb
and continuing to climb
At last following to plan to cross the Solent
At last following the plan to cross the Solent
Leading the doublehanders downwind as the first singlehander comes upwind
Leading the doublehanders downwind as the first singlehander comes upwind
Downwind off Egypt Point
Downwind off Egypt Point
Downwind approaching Prince Consort
Downwind approaching Prince Consort
Downwind approaching Prince Consort 2
Downwind approaching Prince Consort 2
Downwind approaching Prince Consort 3
Downwind approaching Prince Consort 3
SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
Off Cowes
SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
Off Cowes
SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
Opening up the lead downwind
SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
Closing on East Bramble, Almara in sight behind and to leeward
SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
Maintaining concentration
SORC The COVID SHAKEDOWN RACE Sunday 7th June 2020 Single and Double handed race around bouys in the Solent. Photo Rick Tomlinson Mostly Harmless
Preparing to drop the kite at East Bramble