16 June Cock Island Race

With the winds a rolling14-18kt, often surging to 25-30kt, the 80+ fleet of Cock Island Race sailboats marshalled in the Waterside area, Norfolk, awaiting the fleet starts. Fun is an understatement as hefty gusts pushed and pulled the fleets. Starting cannon for the Spin...and the Non-spin...and then the cruisers.  The Belle, crewed by Virginia and Mark, Barb and Ron, Karen and Chess and Ken started the slow start as the 11ton Belle got up to speed with the cruisers.  With 60% head and mainsa'l and full stays'l The Belle often had rails in the water as we kept pace with the faster race boats.  In the end, The Belle took 6th place cruising class.  A great race. Exhilarating, fast moving (up to 8kts against the tide at times) and all-heads-in-the-game sailing that ended with a great dock-side grill out and lunch for the crew.  Yes, will do this again.  Must keep the tradition alive...been racing Cock Island since 1997!