After a mixed week weatherwise, 20 boats raced on Saturday in a continuation of two long championship series in medium airs. There were a couple of late starters, by people who should know better, though Steve’s excuse was that the spinnaker was rigged wrongly, but not noticeable until he gybed on the way out to the start! (Lack of sleep could be another explanation)
There were planing conditions at times, and Scumper capsized on one of his gybes while leading in the first race, but he was far enough ahead to win when the handicaps were calculated. Sailing Sec Roy must still be getting used to sailing again, as he missed out Y/Z at the end of what should have been his first lap! He was not the only one to make that mistake as Tim/Martin in a GP had to retrace their steps around the port end marker at the end of their first lap, losing two places in the process.
The Topper fleet had their first race this year with Ethan and Harry both sailing. Ethan showed Harry a clean pair of heels, and won the race.
Mik had to retire after finding that a spinnaker that would not lower can be a major disadvantage on a beat.
In the second race, the starts were much more closely contested, with Steve clearing the mayhem that left Roy floundering for a short while. With Bean in a Vareo, by the second race he was more in the groove, finishing 2nd to Steve with Scumper 3rd. Tim/Ian retired after Ian suffered a finger injury requiring hospital attention.
Andy/Toggle gave Dave/Lynn a challenge, working through to the lead for a short while, but Dave/Lynn came back and won the race.
Sunday racing looked ominous as the lake was mirror-like first thing. Light airs did fill in sufficiently for racing to start on time, though it eased considerably on the last lap.
In the GPs, the Dave/Lynn team split in two, with Dave crewing for Alan Jones, and Lynn crewing for Mike Fairlamb. Racing between the two was very close all race, but Alan was able to keep his lead to the end.
Although Steve/Ruth led the handicap fleet, Alex/Olivia in their RS200 sailed well and held Bean/Naomi at bay, but remained close enough to Steve to win the race on handicap.
Ian/Lezli-Ann had an excellent start in the F15s, but studying the clouds for the next windshift proved to be a fatal error which led them to the wrong side of the beat, and from which they could not recover, leaving Mike/Kayla to take the pole position, with Tim/Sam 2nd.
Over lunch time the likelihood of sailing the afternoon pennant seemed low, and several boats packed up. However, the OD persevered, and a race was sailed in the northern end of the lake.
Considering the low turnout you would have thought there was plenty of space for all, but just after the start it seemed that several boats were aiming for the same space and there was raised voices….. The race was led by Steve/Ruth in their Merlin, followed by Mike/Kayla in a F15, but personal handicap were used to calculate the results, and on this occasion he who is last shall be first viz. Alan/Sue in their GP which gives the lead in the Sandra’s Salver series for lady crews in pennant races.