Spinnaker Random Pairs event

Published 14:17 on 5 May 2021

Spring Bank Holiday brought 8 skilled Firefly crews onto the water for Spinnaker's Random Pairs events. Random pairs (using excellent spreadsheets from the UK Team Racing Association) involves starting each new race with a different randomly chosen team mate and sailing against different randomly chosen opposition. The winner is the crew with the fewest losses

The crews were met by feisty conditions which were forecast to deteriorate. This is supposed to be Spring! Race Officer Tom Clay required cut down mains and set a 4 buoy square course with plenty scope for tactical racing in a format of 2 blue and two orange team crews. To get a win each team had to avoid a last place.

The crews from Spinnaker, Southampton Uni/Wessex SC and West Oxfordshire fought it out over 20 short races. Given that the wind was 20 knots gusting over 30 the highest level of boat handling and tactical nous was needed.

After about 3 hours with the wind increasing, Tom judged the time was right to make for shore. An exhausted 16 sailors returned in good spirits and should be proud of the fun, skilled and competitive manner in which the event took place.

In the end Alex Colquitt and excellent crew prevailed with just one loss in their 10 races. A highly creditable second was Southampton's George Potter and another excellent crew who just had 2 and weathered a capsize too. 3 crews tied on 5 wins/ losses.

Thanks to Robert and John for officiating from a lumpy committee boat and the Club's Neil for assistance in preparation and additional rescue cover.

Last updated 15:50 on 12 January 2025