Just a perfect day at Pin Mill

Maria sailing back into the Orwell from the Pye End buoy. Picture taken from the deck of Mary Amelia.

Pin Mill was the venue for a perfect day’s sailing on July 11 – the day of the annual PMSC Smacks and Working Boats Race.

Paul, Sally and Joe had sailed Maria round from Brightlingsea the day before and race day saw David, Crispin, Tom, Floss, Pete and Drew join them for what proved to be a sparkling day on the water. In contrast to the drifter of 2014, and the hooley of 2013, the race took place in good working breeze under clear blue skies.

Maria got off to her best start of the year so far, crossing the start line first and never relinquishing the lead during a close-on three-hour race. There were times when Ethel Alice, having a close tussle with Alberta, looked threatening – particularly on the tricky and shifty beat back up the river to the Pin Mill Sailing Club finish line –  but in the end Maria was first home.

Third-home Ethel Alice was nearly 10 minutes behind, but under the OGA handicapping system, beat Maria into second place on corrected time by around 6 minutes. Alberta was a close third, 30 seconds behind Maria on corrected time despite being 7 minutes and 10 seconds behind on the water.

Sunday dawned grey and windy, giving Paul, Joe and Sally a lumpy beat back to Brightlingsea under much reduced sail – all arrived safely, leaving Maria ready for the Old Gaffers’ Race in home waters in six day’s time.