The event started with the traditional sport of motoring out of the creek with sails furled and it was soon clear that some members had not read the published sailing instructions (www. Ashlettsc.com) and continued under power all the way to Newport. However for the rest, once around the furthest extent of Calshot Spit and past the dangers that lurk in Stanswood bay, we were rewarded with a brisk F4 to 5 and on Kouba we had a superb beat and with flat water and 23knts apparent and topped 8knts on occasions, not bad, we thought, considering almost everyone knows that catamarans can’t go to windward!!
Once in Newtown creek we set up the temporary clubhouse, bar and mooring pontoons using our new (and soon to be patented) tandem anchor system, This enable the rest of the fleet to tie up right alongside the bar without even getting their anchors muddy. Duncan and Jo, once again demonstrated their penchant for the unconventional by motoring around backwards and successfully scaring away the National Trust warden before he could extort the usual donations ( but he was back again at O’crack sparrow, and , frankly, a few quid for a night in such a beautiful setting should not tempt even the most thrifty sailor to do a runner).
Saturday’s events concluded with a display of halliard flying by Jude after sucessfuly retreaving Ripping Yarns main halliard from the top of the mast and a barbeque on the beach where we again pushed the boundaries of conventionality and invented the perfect method of mooring .. tie up to an empty wine bottle. So after a perfect day of messing about in boats we bade farewell to Duncan, Jo, Rudi and Cam as they motored off into the sunset back to Calshot to pull Hyper back up the slip and then take the kids back home to Ashlett.
Despite a late landing slot at Bishops Waltham International airport, Air Chief Marshal Geoff Taylor parachuted from the good ship Brill and raced down to Newtown in the rescue rib to make sure anyone who fell in was soon rescued and revived, fortunately his services were not needed but his presence was most reassuring (and he does a mean fry up breakfast).
Once the unofficial away clubhouse had been established we went about the serious task of organising the afternoon’s events.
The main event of the afternoon was the race for the coveted Pimms Cup. The handicap fleet of Illusions, Mirages and Phantoms poured across the start line and headed rapidly down the Creek towards 'Deception point'. Rounding the halfway mark a little ginger was added as they hoisted the customary yellow, green and orange spinnakers and looked like a fruit salad as they headed towards the bottom of the jug. The racing was amazingly close but unfortunately, despite flying the customary R’s flag, the whole race had to be declared null and void because a committee boat was not on station to finish the race.
After the excitement of the first event the more adventurous members decided to explore the upper reaches of the far SW arm of the creek and made the critical discovery that you can almost get to the pub (the Horse and Jockey not the Shallfleet inn) by canoe. In the true spirit of both the weekend and the Island (in this case the Isle of Man) it was decided to make this event a time trial with the prize going to the slowest boat . Maggie, Jan and Jude braved the 'dragons teeth' to set a truly sloth like pace but the event was eventually won on Sunday morning when Geoff Taylor was found getting out of the canoe at 0730 having explored every inch of the creek before the rest of us were even awake.
While the adults were gripped by the excitement of the IOW canoe TT the junior members enjoyed a treasure hunt in the new AASC (Away Ashlett SC) clubhouse and pontoon. Cam won a 3D puzzle that should tax Jo nicely and Rudi won a Pirate with a wooden leg which made Duncan envious. Naturally any major sporting event attracts it share of trouble makers and of course the ASC International Dinghy event in Newtown creek is no exception. The combination of adrenaline, elastic surgical tube, balloons and water make for powerful WMD’s (weapons of minor drenching) combining this with an irresponsible and indiscriminate first strike policy almost generated a diplomatic incident which was only averted by the well known policy of trying to look innocent, running away and denying all knowledge as a water bomb splatted onto the coach roof of a nearby Westerly with a dull thud and leaving nothing behind but wet patch when the owners came on deck to investigate. (Amazing shot even if I say it myself!!!)
The rest of the fleets return to Ashlett on Sunday was a pretty uneventful motor. However Steve Cox decided to tempt fate by trying to hoist his cruising chute in F0 (a sure recipe to get it tangled in the rigging as it flaps about in the wake of the Birmingham Navy). Flying officer (recently demoted) Geoff T also discovered how much easier its it to get airborne if you open the throttle !!
So thanks to all those stalwarts who continue to support the ASC sailing program, like they say it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. For those of you who missed out, want to the wrong place or got the wrong date then don’t forget to check the sailing program for forthcoming events! (www.ashlettsc.com) You might be surprised how much fun we have on the club sailing events !!