Two very different days at the weekend for Tricky D in the Rumbo Solidario at Real Club Náutico Calpe on 15 and 16 May 2021. Saturday had a steady 25 knots with gusts of 35, so there was plenty of action on board; Jim Cooper masterfully managing the helm, Karen Gardner and I handling the winches and Diana Jarvis on mainsheet. The original course to the fish farm was changed, and some confusion over the number of laps required, meant that Tricky D inadvertently retired from the first race.
As the winds built in the afternoon Tricky D suffered a bit of damage to the mast track, but it was nothing compared to the broaching boats and spinnakers being shredded on the bigger boats in other classes by the end of the last race. It made for exciting viewing but an expensive weekend for some boats!
On Sunday we spent the afternoon floating around the bay with Hugh Epsom on the helm, waiting for steady winds of more than 6 knots to allow racing to start. The winds never materialised, but Amanda, Karen and I took advantage of the lovely weather to enjoy a swim and everyone was glad to be able to shelter from the sun under Tricky D’s bimini!
