Race Report - Saturday 8 November 2025

Photos by Peter D’Arcy-King and Brendan Pollard

Spring Point Score Races 7 & 8

Date: Saturday, November 8

Races: 2

Drama Level: Moderate-to-Spicy

Wind: NE Moderate, with a cameo from the North

Course Setting: The Diplomatic Olympics

Before a single sail was hoisted, we found ourselves in a spirited discussion with the Squadron start boat about who’s water is it anyway, as they decided to set their course in our backyard. Their main move? Threatening to release our buoys like some kind of nautical hostage situation if we laid our wing mark to give our fleet any decent reach.

After some tense radio chatter and a few deep breaths. Our marks were moved to minimise any dangers potential or real from the Squadron fleet, relations were preserved — for now. But heck with that for a game of cowboys!

Race 1: Smooth Sailing… Well!

With the course finally set, Race 1 got underway in a decent NE breeze. The radial fleet showed great form, with tight racing and minimal hassle (except for Sylvie, who screamed away). Geoff made a return into the Radial fleet and was right up there, Andrew another notable challenger. The Standards on the other hand may have had a little too much Weetbix or maybe extra toasties from Paul. Once they got the general recall out of the way they managed to contain themselves for the black flag. Can’t blame anyone, a nor-easter is very exciting, but you know who you are! Best on water for the Standards were Healy Ryan and Dave Newman (who, BTW, has been sailing out of his skin lately). The support boats were on point, keeping things safe and steady for a few sailors with wobbles.

The winners (on handicap) of Race 1 were Radials: Charles Byford, Standards: Hadrien Bourely. For full results, please see the Sailor App.

Race 2: Wind goes walkabout.

Just as we got comfortable, the wind decided to shift northward, turning our course into a navigational puzzle with relocation challenges. The fleet adapted like pros, tacking through the chaos with style and even helping by resetting the start line to match the shift to the north. The support crew were working to reposition marks and trying in vain to get us a good reach after the Squadron had done the decent thing and gone home. Yes, we heard the requests from the sailors and did our best with what we had on offer…

In the Radials, Sylvie is clearly under special instructions from her coach to start, then go behind the fleet and see how she goes… Hmmmm.. Very impressive return to the front after doing just that, and almost before the triangle part of the race was over. Again, good competitive racing and the wind was helpfully easing at just the right time for a few of the more mature members of the fleet. In the Standards (also known as the Dave & Healy Show), with Dave powering upwind and Healy screaming downwind. They dueled back and forth throughout the race, right up to the last leg when the wind gods decided to take a break and left Dave without the horsepower needed and Healy cantered away. Hats off to all the sailors and especially the ones who enjoyed a little swim during the day. Everyone looked a little tired, so all good.

The winners (on handicap) of Race 2 were Radials: Andrew Cox, Standards: Rod Barnes. For full results, please see the Sailor App.

To both fleets, thank you for your patience, humour, and resilience on Saturday. You made the best of a tough sailing day with classic DBSC spirit. Special mention: we were thrilled to welcome a charming visitor (and future club member?) this weekend, Tatiana. It was a pleasure. Until next time, may the mainsheets be smooth, the buoys remain unreleased, and the wind shifts be slightly less annoying.

Thanks to the busy on-water team of Mike Dunne (PRO) and Stephen Reid (LTRaR) with help from Tatiana Bar on the Jazzman, and especially our support boats: Peter D’Arcy-King (COTD) and Rich McLachlan (CoCOTD) on the Paul Adam, and RIB Reservists Brendan Pollard and Pia Hattersley on the Bergman. Thanks to Paul and Shirley in the canteen, ably assisted by Nick Pellow and Andrea Phillips.

- Mike Dunne, PRO

Race Committee having way too much fun. Photo by Tatiana Bar.

Editor’s afterword: If you are like me and struggle a bit getting ‘round the leeward mark in a breeze, Brendan also took this video of Sylvie showing how it’s done. Enjoy,