The first camping weekend of the season benefitted from drier and sunnier weather than expected in the recent longer term forecast. The wind generally came in from the south, though it occasionally veered to the SW as it swung around Sale fell, creating a shadow on the course area, and easing the wind.
There were 32 boats on the water, and it was some consistent sailing by Dave/Lynn in their GP that won them the Celebrity Glass trophy with 3 points, ahead of Matt/Oliver in a RS200, and Rob in his Phantom.
Grace hosted a quiz on Saturday evening in aid of her World Challenge trip
Despite a mirror like lake at 9am on Sunday, the wind quickly filled in from the SE again to create some exciting racing conditions. The rain stayed away, and there was plenty of sunshine, but the temperature remained cold.
There were many powerful reaches which resulted in various boats practicing their capsizing skills, emphasising the need for good drysuits! As ever, the wind veered to the ESE, and eased for a while giving some relief to the sailors, but overall the conditions were testing for those just starting their racing season.
Monday’s forecast wasn’t very palitable, with predicted winds of force 4 gusting 6, no sun, and the risk of rain, so many campers opted to pack up and return home early. However, the wind didn’t generally rise above force 3, and the weather fortunately stayed dry, though, with no sun, it was bitterly cold!
In the F15s, there was some close racing between new members Dave/Jackie Gebhard and Pete Kassell, with Dave winning both races and the Easterly Trophy overall.
Dave Lawson in a Laser had more consistent racing to win the handicap Easter Trophy with Steve/Ruth in their Enterprise 2nd, and Rob Cook in a Phantom 3rd. Due to the weather conditions, Pix/Matt joined forces in a B14, but a capsize scuppered their chances, so they went for a play.
Phil/Oliver Smith had three straight wins in their Mirror, winning the MT Image Trophy, with Alex/Phoebe Leonard 2nd, and Andy/Isabelle Tunicliffe 3rd