On Saturday, the hot sunny weather with a good southerly breeze to boot was looking extremely promising. The OD, who vowed to start on time, had to delay matters when the effects of a sea breeze started to put his plans for a course, taking the fleet around the lake, to pot. After this delay in setting a course to suit the new wind, the fleet were so eager to get down to it that there was a general recall. Fortunately, they behaved themselves after that and got off to a clean start second time around.
However, the winds had not settled down; with continual wind changes and the odd hole to contend with positions were regularly changing. Steve Goacher and Neil Platt enjoyed some good racing, but it was Neil that went on to win the first race.
The second race was held in more constant airs, and there were several battles going on throughout the race. Neil Platt again secured the lead and went on to win.
Saturday evening started with lasagne and chianti, and as the Stella started to flow a pool competition got underway. It’s anyone’s guess as to who (should have) won, but after several more Stellas very few people cared! Did this affect concentration levels for Sunday’s racing…?
Sunday threatened to be a bit of a drifter, but just before the scheduled 10.30 start the wind started to fill in from the South and the racing was under way just 15 minutes late. The lead was again a battle between Steve Goacher and Neil Platt with Steve taking command of the situation, but Neil stole his chance on the final mark rounding to take the third race and secure the series. This didn’t stop the two taking to the water for the final race. The wind had faded over lunchtime and it was hoped that a sea breeze would take over. However, although the wind filled in from the West with the sea breeze, northerly gusts of wind gave the starboard side of the beat the advantage. Steve Goacher was quick to notice this and soon had a commanding lead. The northerly gusts played their part in reducing Steve’s lead on the next beat, but he stayed ahead and didn’t make the same mistake again and he went on to win the final race.
Other prizes for the weekend went to that silvery haired Neil Currie with Toggle Cowan for their ‘outstanding’ performance in the Neil’s former F15 in the silver fleet. The Classic boat prize went to Keith Jamieson.
Overall results:
PN Boat Helm Crew Club 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 3770 N PLATT J MARSTON BOLTON & WEST 1 1 1 2 3
2 3721 S GOACHER P EVANS RWYC 2 2 2 1 5
3 3673 S BEATTIE J SOMMERVILLE BASS 3 3 3 DNS 9
4 3734 H GREEN I PRESTON LEIGH & LOWTON 7 4 5 3 12
5 3473 M MOORE I SMITH BASS 4 7 6 4 14
6 3560 I CAMPBELL T FISHER BASS 5 5 4 6 14
7 3265 N CURRIE M COWAN BASS 6 6 7 5 17
8 3521 P BURNELL I MACPHERSON BASS 8 8 8 9 24
9 3268 W CARRUTHERS A SMITH BASS 10 9 10 7 26
10 3332 W SOMMERVILL J HARDON BASS 9 10 12 10 29
11 1117 K JAMIESON MAFF SMITH BASS 12 12 11 8 31
12 3281 M WATSON D FIRTH REYC 11 11 9 DNS 31
13 2504 S KIRKPATRIC K THOMAS BASS 13 13 13 11 37
Points for RTD = 14 14 14 12
Points for DSQ = 14 14 14 12
Points for DNS = 14
3 races to count