Yesterday’s (August 6) iconic Round the Goodwins Race – traditionally marking the start of Ramsgate Week- had to be delayed three times as race officers waited for the wind to die down. The course also had to be changed as sailing all the way round the sands was impossible given the winds mid channel, but after discussion a suitable course was agreed upon which meant they sailed shoreside of the sands, a course of about 18 nautical miles.
About an hour and a half later than planned the race started in blustery conditions with a large fleet of some 30 yachts.
Some yachts retired immediately but the majority of skippers took the decision to carry on with the altered course and all yachts except one made it safely round. That yacht had rudder failure which meant that they were drifting towards the sands and the decision was taken to call Ramsgate RNLI out who managed to tow the yacht safely back into harbour.
Post racing discussion around the bar all agreed that the course was the right one, and the race officer had made the correct decision. Sadly broken parts of yachts are the norm in racing.
This morning was the official start of Ramsgate Week and Ramsgate Mayor Pat Moore, the Town Sargent, representatives of main sponsors St Lawrence College, the Harbour Master and members of host Ramsgate Temple Yacht Club (RTYC) committee were treated to breakfast, before visiting the race officers in Race Control at the end of Ramsgate East Pier after the start of the first race and then visiting the Dock Masters in Port Control.
Weather conditions are improving throughout the week with the sun finally making an appearance meaning happy sailors!
