Chapter 7: "Racing to be last" by John Panting

I enjoyed building SunseT the SigneT dinghy but maybe one in a lifetime is enough. It’s been a romance which has blossomed into love.

Now, we are in the period of dinghy racing. I find it hard enough to sail a dinghy let alone race one. However, having thrown myself in at the deep end, that is straight into racing on day one, I intend to pursue this as it is a way of making the learning curve very steep. We have already been out in winds from so light that I could only go backwards on the river, to up to force six. My results so far have been dismal but then, I have only been sailing since 25^th April 2010. We have managed three races where we were not in last place, so I am getting there. I looked at this dinghy season as the year of learning how to lose races and so far I have met my objective. Next season, hopefully, we will be a contender and not tail end Charlie.

I have many people who I owe a tribute to, in getting me this far. Some have helped a lot and some have given just one piece of invaluable advice but all have given freely and I thank them all again.

I am looking forward to participating in offshore cruising during the winter and early spring, as I have put this on the back burner while focused on building and then racing SunseT. Hopefully, now I will be able to accommodate both.

By John S Panting, Alias "JP"

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