A drizzly but mild and wild Saturday afternoon didn’t put off any of those sailors that turned up for a race. Even Jo was keen to get on the water, this time racing with Ant in a Vision, and fulfil her dream of sailing the perfect race, winning by a country mile, and sailing into the sunset. Unfortunately, her dream didn’t come true today. The blustery, and shifty, conditions caused numerous capsizes, even before the start!
Steve/Ruth in a Merlin led the fleet but couldn’t break away from Bean/Izzy, practising for Bass Week, in a 200. Hugh suffered a few capsizes in his Vareo and was relieved to be the ‘right’ side of the line when the race was shortened. Nigel/Glenys, Ant/Jo, Paul and Bob all retired after capsizing. On handicap, Bean won, with Tog 2nd, and Steve 3rd.
With so many retirements in the first race, numbers were somewhat depleted for the second start, and reduced even further when AJ/Sue had no competition in the GPs, and Tog capsized before the start then opted to head back ashore. Again Steve led in his Merlin, but raising his spinnaker was his downfall when he couldn’t avoid a capsize soon after. Bean took the lead, winning overall, with Steve 2nd and Hugh 3rd, having also capsized whilst flying his gennaker.
Leading the Handicap Dawson Trophy at present is Jo (with a little help from Ant!), with Bean/Izzy 2nd. AJ/Sue lead the GP Autumn Cup.
Rain passed through overnight leaving clearer skies, and less blustery winds for Sunday’s racing. The GPs were a bit too keen at the start causing an individual recall, but consciences must have been running high as more boats returned than were actually on course side! Val/Ken took advantage of their clean start and led the race but were a little concerned when someone was distracted forgot to sound the horn! – oops. Mike/Eric made a good recovery after being recalled to finish 2nd with AJ/Sue 3rd.
In the Handicap fleet, Steve/Ruth again led the fleet gaining sufficient lead with the various reaches to win on handicap. Tog/Joan were in their RS200 to take 2nd from Bean/Oliver in their Mirror.
The afternoon pennant race in aid of the Jubilee Sailing Trust just took the fleet to 10. Despite the SW breeze, conditions were not quite as flukey as they often are. The lead three boats stayed relatively close together until their return to 7, when Banter/Emma were left wallowing as the others left them behind – did they go aground? Steve/Ruth won on handicap 21 secs ahead of Rory/Eleanor in their F15, with Mike/Eric 3rd.
Eleanor leads Sandra’s Salver for the best female crew.
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Jubilee Sailing Trust results
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