The First Race

Sunday dawned grey and drizzly - so much for Jersey being the sunshine isle. At about 8:15 the raft of some 100 yachts broke up - using the tried and tested continental approach of every yacht for himself... At around 8:30 the Harbour master closed the exit to the sea to let a ferry in - this resulted in approx 99 yachts milling about in small inner harbour - at least it gave ample opportunity to rebuild relationships that were strained at the raft break-up!!!
Once free from the harbour, we all milled around the start - being a French organised event - all radio calls were made with typical Gallic indifference! The start was fun - well it was in hindsight - and it certainly made the raft break-up seem like a teddy bear's picnic!!!
The race went well IMHO - becalmed and (almost) bobbing - the Committee shortened the race for every class but ours - how considerate!! Wind did pick up and we completed the course under sail - unfortunately, we 'crossed' the finish line approx 20 mins after it had been towed in - ce la vie.
The Committee then displayed a rare display of organisational brilliance cider, bottles of vin rouge, paella and a row of tables not dissimilar to the Maginot Line for 800 peeps - ok, not quite biblical loaves and fishes but pretty damn good!!