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Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 – Day 4
25-30 August 2024
Fickle Winds and Fluctuating Fortunes
Wednesday was intended to feature round-the-harbour courses for most fleets racing in Poole Week. The Dolphins and Cornish Shrimpers typically navigate round-the-harbour courses, avoiding complex windward/leeward or triangle courses. The plan was to direct other fleets (excluding the slower handicap fleet) toward the scenic southern shores of Poole Harbour, including the instruction to leave Green Island to the right (or left). This approach would also apply to Brownsea and Furzey, both islands in the area.
However, the racing faced challenges due to the wind conditions. The easterly wind, Eurus, initially prevailed, leading to the set courses. Yet, what wasn’t anticipated was the pushback from Zephyrus, the west wind, creating a tug-of-war that led to periods of calm across various sections of the harbour. Eventually, a gentle westerly breeze made an appearance, although the disruption had already occurred.
While the ILCAs and Flying Fifteens at the Top Triangle awaited wind sufficient to start racing, fleets from the Parkstone Platform began their journey down the harbour toward South Deep. It was a relaxed outing, with skippers battling just 5-6 knots of breeze paired with a slight flood tide. Generally, heading right toward Brownsea proved more advantageous.
Successfully navigating the beat to the east side of Brownsea Island led to a significant area of stillness, causing a bottleneck as various fleets converged. The leading Wayfarer even caught up to the trailing Darts, which had begun their race 10 minutes earlier. As boats floated near Brownsea Castle, they were urged by a pilot boat to ‘keep to the edge of the channel,’ as a freighter was en route.
After passing the castle, at the entrance to South Deep, the faintest breeze was just enough to fill the kites for a shy reach towards Amy Group, where a RIB awaited as a finish boat. This sequence held for boats that finished before around 15:20. Following this, a lull settled in for about 15-20 minutes as a group of XODs and RS200s drifted slowly across the line.
Happily, the wind finally settled, filling in from the west and assisting the boats back down South Deep toward Brownsea Castle, which presented its own wind hole. Despite this, the return beat towards the Parkstone platform was productive, with a second race offered. Most experienced a relatively short windward/leeward race where the wind began at 10-12 knots and gradually decreased.
In the Top Triangle, the earlier easterly finally returned after the scheduled start time, prompting the fleets to embark on a beat down the harbour, only for the wind to vanish and reappear from the opposite direction, transforming the beat into a run. The race concluded at Glovers buoy, where numerous ILCAs and Flying Fifteens crossed the finish line simultaneously. The disarray of conditions illustrated that yacht racing can be unpredictable.
In terms of results, new leaders emerged, such as Rob Jackson in the ILCA 6s and Peter Loretto in the RS200s, both of whom maintained proximity to the front throughout the week. Unexpected top finishes also came from individuals who simply navigated correctly, like Trevor Card, who snagged 2nd place in the Wayfarers’ second race, outperforming many regular frontrunners.
Competition remains tight at the top across many fleets. Let’s hope the wind gods have concluded their playful antics and allow Poole Week to unfold in somewhat more predictable conditions going forward.
Provisional results available on www.pooleweek.org.
Source
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.
