It wasn’t only the Windsor wedding that enjoyed wall to wall sunshine on Saturday. Though the wind was patchy over lunch, the sea breeze came in and built up throughout the afternoon.
Mike/Kayla continued with their cover tacking over Ian/Lezli-Ann in the F15s apart from on the final beat when Ian took the honours by a hair’s breadth! Mike didn’t make the same mistake in the 2nd race, and built a stronger lead to reverse the result, taking a win and the lead in the series.
Alex/Olivia in their RS200 won the first race from Dave L in a Laser, but they had no competition for the 2nd race.
In the GPs Paul brushed the start line by the finest of margins, but it was Val/Ken that mastered the conditions to take two winds ahead of Mike/Eric. AJ/Sue started well with their new suit of sails but had top settle for two 3rds. Mike leads the series.
Emma/Rory had a good start in the Mirrors, despite being without a watch! However, conditions were just a bit too much, so they soon retired leaving Mik to complete the course and take the win, and the lead in the series.
Cloud cover on Sunday brought in some stronger winds that proved to be a bit much for Josh and Poppy who retired before getting past the F15 moorings, which left Mik with no competition in the Mirrors so he headed ashore, but had to be towed ashore when his main came down.
Alex/Olivia sailed well and took the lead in the Handicap fleet only for their main halyard to break, so they needed a tow ashore too, so it was Dave L in a Laser Radial that took 1st place from Rory in a Solo.
Phil/Sarah had a good race in the GP taking 1st place from Mike/Eric. OD Ian Macpherson had qualms about sending the two F15s round an extra lap (to keep the trailing handicap boats company), it didn’t help Ian/Lezli-Ann catch up Mike/Kayla who took another win strengthening their lead in the series.
The afternoon race was the Albert Bates Retirement Trophy, sailed as a pennant race around the lake. Surprisingly the winds were reasonably steady, and eased as the race went on. Mike/Kayla took an early lead which they held to the finish. The GPs had a close race with Mike/Eric finishing only 8 secs ahead of Val/Ken after 80 mins racing, but it was Mike that won the trophy by 23 secs on handicap.
Albert Bates Retirement Trophy results
The RS400 Northern Championship was held at South Shields over the weekend with successes by Scumper and Zefer finishing third overall, with the championship being won by new member Dave Exley and Mark Lunn. Congratulations to you all!