RORC Griffin Team Kicks Off Season

Over the weekend 22nd/23rd March, the RORC Griffin Racing Team with lead coach Hugh Brayshaw came together for the first races of the season, competing in the Junior Offshore Group (JOG) coastal races.

Saturday’s race was the Lewmar Lonely Tower, starting off Cowes, racing around the Nab Tower and finishing back in Cowes. With 93 entries and steady winds of 9-13 knots from the north east, it promised a great early season test. The team executed an excellent start, securing a strong lane with plenty of tactical options.

Race Performance

The race saw the Griffin team picking wind shifts while beating out through the forts towards the Nab tower, working hard on trimming and keeping clear air. On the return downwind leg, the team made sure of navigating close inshore before the tide turned. The race concluded with a final sprint to the finish line off Egypt Point in Cowes, where Griffin finished 18th overall and 3rd place in IRC 2.

Post-Race Training

Following the race, the Griffin team were keen to practice their light-wind manoeuvring skills. Training included sail changes, man-overboard drills, and kedge anchor practice.

Team O Great Escape Race : Tactical Racing in Light Winds

Sunday’s race was the Team O Great Escape, which was a shorter race around the Solent, with 62 entries. It presented new challenges with light and shifty breeze from the north, making pre-start manoeuvres tricky. Despite this, Griffin managed to break free with a clear lane, positioning themselves well for the conditions. As the breeze filled in from the left, patience and persistence paid off, allowing the team to hold their position in the fleet.

Shipping traffic did have some impact on fleet separation, but soon enough the fleet were close inshore off Lee-on-Solent and it became crucial to play the shifts effectively. The downwind leg towards Fawley and Beaulieu saw most of the fleet staying inshore to escape the strong tides, before crossing the Solent again to finish off Cowes. Griffin finished the day in 8th place overall, securing 5th in IRC Class 2.

Looking Ahead

The weekend marked a brilliant start to the season, with the team demonstrating resilience and adaptability in varying conditions. Valuable lessons were learned, setting a solid foundation for the upcoming offshore racing calendar within the Royal Ocean Racing Club series. With a competitive season ahead, the Griffin Racing Team is ready to build on their experience gained so far and look forward to their next race.

Written by Will Jarman (RORC Griffin 25 Sailor)