Kielder Dam to Dam
Javelin Open Meeting
Sunday 5th & Monday 6th May 2019.
The Dam to Dam Challenge. This is a series of endurance races exploiting the full length of Kielder Water. All are welcome, both racers and cruisers. See https://kielderwatersc.org/visit/openevents.html
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The Kielder Dam to Dam event comprised of two mixed handicap races, one on the Sunday and the second on the Monday. Camping was available at the sailing club and visitors with motorhomes and caravans pitched in the car park and on the slipway. Each race makes full use of the lake with a course of just 2 buoys.
Day 1 Sunday race 1 start 1pm - finished 4pm The wind for the Sunday race was an F2 - F3 westerly which became light and variable through the right turn (the 'knee') and up to the northern area of the lake. Local knowledge really pays here so if in doubt follow the locals.. Sailing on Keilder Water really draws on a multitude of sailing skills. Off the start line and beating North up the lake, it's large lake sailing with fairly consistent wind direction and be prepared for waves (which we didn't have) then turning right (Knee) here it is just like sailing at Glossop where the wind can be challenging and anything can happen. Then turning left and heading north the lake begins to narrow and the lifts along the banks are similar to river sailing. Around the windward mark hoist the kite and you'll be challenged down to the leeward mark with a variety of wind shifts broad reaches, runs and sailing close to gybing, all the time straining your head to the mast top burgee to watch for every slight change in wind direction. After 3 hours the Javelins and Ospreys were just meters apart, making this very close, very competitive with finishing positions only confirmed on the line. Stats: distance sailed: 11.4NM, Speed max: 9.2 knits, Speed average 4.4 knots Wind West 8 knots Race 1 - Javelin GBR572 Matthew Botfield & Neil Reid APP used Waterspeed on Apple Watch 3 (can also use iPhone/Android) |
Day 2 Monday - light F0 - F1 breeze start 10am - finish 3.30pm
With a shorter course than race 1, the racer set off cross the start line at 10am with a light F1 breeze which after an hour dropped away to patching/nothing, a millpond of flat clear water with a light dusting of rain. 4 hours of looking over our shoulders for every breathe of wind, sail trimming, crews perched in uncomfortable weight forward squat positions. The racers slowly spit into 3 groups across the course, with a lead group who were consistently 400m ahead of the Javelins, Laser 4000, Osprey and Supernova, with the slower handicap group behind. In the last hour of the race, the lead group crossed the line while the wind disappeared leaving the other racers with their fingers dipped in the water to check if they actually moving or not. Neil and Matthew finished after 4 hours 38 minutes after the start, followed by the rest of the fleet who were now charging towards the finish line with crews on the trapeze and helms stretching their legs under the toe straps- that's sailing, Stats: distance sailed: 8.5NM, Speed max: 6.6 knots decreasing, Speed average 1.8 knots Wind North East 6 knots |
