The light winds from the south made things seem like there was a pleasant sail ahead. Although William and Elaine were able to pull away on the beat from the single handers, the single handers benefitted on the runs. However, after completing two laps in 40 mins OD Mike Moore let William sail on (as Alan Waugh in his mirror had just started his second lap) but shortly after the wind faded and it was to be another 50 mins before William completed the next lap. To be fair Mike made the rest of the handicap fleet endure the conditions, but it was to be the lasers that gained with Robbie D coming in just 5 mins after William to take first overall

The wind faded through the lunch break but did fill in from the SW. Due to the light winds the Banana Stakes pennant race was just sailed down to mark 10 and back. A shadow on the lake around 7 bunched the fleet up on the way down the lake. William in an RS400, Rory in a Vareo and Val in a GP were the three lead boats that broke away. With the race being calculated on a personal handicap basis, it was Val that won, followed by Rory then William. Mik Chappell came in a notable 4th overall

Saturday: Not a good forecast. Flood warnings. High gusting winds. Rain

The wild conditions in the morning were sufficient to postpone the taster session, but the Youth Squad duly turned up for their 1pm race. The five competitors all took to the water, and all capsized. The race was started twice, but eventually abandoned

As for the main racing, the weather remained uninviting, but 10 boats ventured out and braved the autumnal weather. Although William and Elaine put up a fight at times, Steve and Ruth took advantage of the gusts to get ahead, but kept giving William a chance by capsizing (was he trying to preserve his handicap?) albeit briefly.

Mark Ninnim and Rob Smith sailed well in their Enterprise and may have won all three races on personal handicap if they hadn’t capsized in the second race. It seems that Ian Macpherson was mastering the conditions and is in a good position in the series having secured a first and two seconds.

Tomorrow’s forecast for the conclusion of this six race series is less blustery and dry, but only time will tell what the conditions will actually be

Sunday seemed like a different day. The rain had passed through and the wind seemed so light that we were unlikely to get the chance of a plane. However, the wind was forecast to pick up a little. There were even patches of blue sky!

The final three races of the fleet challenge. How would things fare today?

The wind did come, but in fits and starts, occasionally planing conditions, but usually when boats were on the beat! Was the OD just looking the other way at the start as several boats thought they were over the line but there was no recall, so they got away with it.

Despite an adjustment of handicaps, the overnight leaders had sufficient standing to see them through the day, so congratulations go to Mark Ninnim and Rob Smith

Though the forecast is for a gentle breeze, the mirror-like water does not give us much hope!

Perhaps it would have been better if the wind had stayed away because the drizzle came down as the OD tried to determine where to set the course. He seemed to take Albert’s view of Let the B***ers Go to try and make sure a race was held. Unfortunately the wind had swung and the windward leeward course ended up without a beat. Interestingly at 2, several boats tacked with the gennakers flying!

Over lunch the rain bedded in and the wind faded. No more racing for today!