New Sails for Topper Xenon

Does anyone want to sponsor a race winning Topper Xenon and her crew?

Inparticular would they like their logo on the sail?

It looks like I am going to have to buy a new set of sails. I have had to have my main sail repaired at  Gowen Ocean Sailmakers after tears started to appear near the clew. So far looks like they've done a good job. Thing is after a few seasons racing, sails aren't quite as good as they started out to be and I've got to keep my new winning streak going.

Pic - Repaired Sail (It's the black bit)

Silverware at Last

I firmly believe that the conditions at Wivenhoe are inclined to favour the smaller boats in oppose the Xenon. They are able to cut the corners of the river over the shallow mud and, in the case of Mirrors, benefit from enormously generous handicaps; controversy!!. Additionally the Lasers appear to tack a lot faster - I reckon they are able to get up speed faster in light winds and I need to work on the rolling tack more.

Although we thought we had the Up the River Race sewn-up, whilst in the lead on the return leg, we found ourselves going backwards opposite the pub at Rowhedge. This allowed the Lasers to catch-up and overtake. There is also an element of luck around here as well with the fluky winds.

All that said the last race I entered we won.

At last I have some silverware to display in the lounge and remind all sailors who visit just how good I am - it couldn't possibly be luck could it.

Pic - Ready to Launch

Blow Over

Has the weather been as unpredictable for me as it has been for everyone else this season? It was one of the worse winters on record so perhaps it is the hangover? On a training outing earlier this season all was going well until this little squall appeared on the horizon.

Fortunately, being a responsible captain, I was heading back up the river to the club house; concerned about the weather you see! However, a 1000 yards before we got there the squall hit us and we went from a F2-3 to a F6+ in no time at all; over we went.

Pic 1 - Squall in background while we wash off mud

The good thing was at this point we weren't too far from the club house and we were able to stand in oppose to swim or cling. Had we been further out, there would have been no chance of righting her and getting back underway. The bad thing was I had decided it was a good day not to wear a wet suit and after 20 minutes in the river, rain and mud was getting hacked off.

Pic 2 - Nearly done - thanks Crew