Service StatusRed Funnel Easter Challenge
The Red Funnel Easter Challenge, 10-12 April 2009, is a tuning regatta organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club with racing on tight Solent Courses to emphasise crew work and boat handling skills.
FREE on the water coaching is available throughout the weekend.
Programme of Races
| Date | Races | HW Portsmouth | FWS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 10 April 09 | 1 & 2 | 1244 - 4.6m | 1350 |
| Sat 11 April 09 | 3, 4 & 5 | 1322 - 4.6m | 0950 |
| Sun 12 April 09 | 6 & 7 | 1358 - 4.5m | 0950 |
Prizegiving
- Sunday 12 April 09 at the Events Centre, Cowes Yacht Haven
Trophies
Red Funnel Easter Challenge Prizes will be awarded to all Classes. Red Funnel Prix d'Elegance
Social
All competitors will be welcome Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, the Island SC, the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club and London Yacht Club. For details of accommodation, dining facilities etc please contact the individual club.
Notice of Race
CLASSES: IRC – The class bands used in this regatta may differ from the season's offshore class bands. See RORC General Conditions, Appendix II
SSS MINIMUM BASE VALUE: 15 or STIX MINIMUM: 23 and AVS MINIMUM: 130-0.005 x m (where m is minimum sailing weight in Kg)
Boats may categorised under either STIX and AVS or SSS
SPECIAL REGULATIONS: Category 4 with RORC prescriptions plus VHF Radio, the primary purpose of which is to monitor the Race Committee.
ENTRIES: Close Thursday 2nd April
COURSE(S): Racing on tight Solent Courses designed to emphasise crew work and boat handling
TUNING: Coaching support will be provided with post-race debriefing and on-the-water advice during racing (changes RRS 41 – outside assistance)
SCORING: Points on ISAF low-points system. All races held will count.
POINTS FACTOR: The Red Funnel Easter Challenge is not part of the RORC Season’s Points Championship
More information
RACE HQ: RORC Office 82 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7AJ
Tel +44 (0) 1983 295 144 Fax +44 (0) 1983 292 242
RORC Website Enter RaceGallery
Final Day Report - Brains Not Brawn
The final day of the Red Funnel Easter Regatta organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club saw light airs yacht racing for the third day in row. The Race Committee set up windward leeward courses similar to yesterday. A light northerly breeze of eight knots gradually diminished during the day, so much so, that the second race was shortened for three of the classes.
Coach Jim Saltonstall continued to give top tips to the competitors: "Whether you are sailing in big waves with 40 knots of wind or ghosting along in light airs, you need to sail to the best of your ability to get the results that you wish for. In very light conditions, sailors really need to concentrate on maintaining their focus. Boredom can create mental apathy and the bottom line is that concentration levels have got to be 100% in light airs, just as much as at any other time."
Day 2 Report - Balancing Act
All classes still in the balance after two days of close fought racing.
Day Two of the Red Funnel Easter Challenge and light air racing was still the order of the day, but with a change in direction to the north west. The Royal Ocean Racing Club set a windward leeward course north of the Brambles Bank, with a leeward gate. Three courses were laid for the competitors varying in length for the different classes.
"The strategy at the start of the first race of the day was about using the advantage of a starboard lift on the mainland shore coming out of Southampton Water and keeping out of the tide" explained Event Coach, Jim Saltonstall. "Most of the fleet got it right; heading for shallow water to escape the tide and getting a lift on starboard tack. However the area also saw a conversion zone for the wind, going too far into shore meant lower pressure."
Race Report Day 1 - Heads out of the boat
The Solent served up some challenging conditions for the 64 yachts entered in the first day of the Red Funnel Easter Challenge, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. For Race One, the Race Committee set two courses for the fleet in the Eastern Solent in the vicinity of the Hill Head plateau. The larger boats in Class Super Zero (SZ) and Zero (0) were sent on a cascade course of approximately 16 miles, with a similar but shorter course of 11 miles for the smaller classes.
Getting a good start is always important, but even more so in light airs. Clean air can mean a couple of knots more wind than the competition, but relative to the low wind speed, that can be a massive advantage.
