Quiet Day
Racing starts
Overtaking begins
rounding a mark
more of rounding the mark
In a windshadow (usually caused by the swimming pool or the two tall trees by the road)
that's more like it on the windward leg
Second race under starters orders
underway again
Corden Cup 2009
Cordon cup and EDCS 4
June 7th 2009

17 competitors entered this Eastern District of the MYA competition.
Many reported torrential rain on the way up from London.
It soon arrived here.
Racing began in two fleets, about 10am, but the weather affected electrics and after three races one fleet of 13 boats remained.

The weather improved enough for me to get the camera out
after lunch and all sailors went from no2 or 3 suit to sail set 1 as
the gusty winds moderated.

even shorts began to appear as the afternoon improved.
The weather may have moderated but not the competition on the water.

Observers and scorers were kept busy at the marks and finishes were often very close.

Bottom Left:Bill Harvey, Officer of the Day. Top left:
Malcolm Button, HDMBC club secretary and co-ordinator and scorer for the
day.
Yes, this was a warm sunny June day but there is clear evidence of the intemperate morning weather.
Good humour and co-operation overcame the difficulties.
Towards 3.30pm the last of the boats came out of the water.
The final scores and placings were computed in the club tent which remained waterproof!

Graham Bantock took the first prizes.

Denis Astbury, second.


Jon Alexander, Chairman, thanked all the competitors and workers for making
a successful day in spite of the early difficulties with weather.
Corden Cup 08 09
Cordon Cup.
Model Yachting Association,Eastern District,
International One Metre, competition.

early, about 8.30am, competitors begin to gather

as members erect the tent for the administration unit, competitors prepare



the course, prepared by the Officer of the Day, is marked with buoys.

First come the seeding races, then races are held in A and B fleets of about 10

the course is mapped and explained to competitors

intense preparation continues

admiring boats

latest fashion?
or traditional styling

almost a catwalk display

straight mast with a natty windvane atop....not seen one of those before......

not so straight mast.........now I have seen one of those before......................

ready for a quick getaway?
The call goes out for "boats on the water"
the racing is about to start

the start line is marked by the red buoys, now about 30 seconds to start

seconds to go

"all clear" is called by the Officer of the Day and the race is underway

approaching a marker buoy
© Bryan

some jostling for position.........did someone protest 49? but he's on starboard tack!
the skippers assembled on the farther shore

couldn't resist..................................... the cygnets are just cute 



going to windward, the other fleet are out of the water on the bank

rounding the windward mark, the first mark of the race after the start-line

very close racing

giving room or cutting through is a fine line judgement sometimes

© Bryan

rounding the leeward mark, the wakes give you a clue the wind is roughly from the side to behind them

closer

the rear of race is spreading further apart

during the day the wind changed direction
..so the course is changed to suit the conditions

another intense moment as seconds are counted down to the new start line,
the variable winds make the skippers sailing judgement critical


© Bryan
and Bryan's view of the start

one of my better pictures but the day concludes off the water

with the awards, prizes and speeches

congratulations to the winner, Mark. See results page

thanks to the Officer of the Day, Bill

the club secretary who is busy before,
all day entering results and redrawing fleets
and getting things sorted
and afterwards getting results published as well
as organizing the team of volunteers
with the buoys, tent etc;
thanks Malcolm.

and the club chairman who opens and closes and keeps things running smoothly all day,
thanks Eric
Thanks to Bryan for the following pictures too

© Bryan

© Bryan

© Bryan

© Bryan
A Class 2009
Sunday 17th May 2009
Eastern Regional A Class Event

Jon our chairman with his back into it and Mike working the buoys


boats getting ready

decks shipshape

competitors welcomed
competitors ready....
and the wind changed causing a headache for Jon
as Officer of the DAY (OOD)

Racing finished at 3.15pm, now in warm bright sunshine again..........
full results in the results page

Graham Bantock,(left) who won the Murrison Cup here in the early 1970's
and went on to be club secretary for some years.

Trevor Binks receiving second prize from Harwich Mayor, Cllr Dave Rutson.

Clive Tappenden third prize winner between Jon (front view for a change and headaches over) and the Mayor.

Rick Buxton, centre, who won 4th prize. By now you know the other two!
The wind got up for the end of the day
which made removing the buoys
and taking down the
administration tent that much more interesting.
Thanks to Malcolm
Button, Hon Secretary, for organizing all the admin of the day.