The last bank holiday camping weekend of the year started off with a mild sunny afternoon combined with a good breeze, somewhat lighter than forecast, that tempted out a fair fleet of boats.
In the F15s, Ian/Izzie got the best start but it was Mark/Ian that took an early lead and promptly headed for the wrong mark, with the next couple of boats following like sheep. Bean/Alan were the first to head for the correct mark and take the lead. Mark did get back in to the lead, but Bean finished a close 2nd.
Dave/Lynn took two 1sts in the GPs leaving Val/Ken and AJ/Sue to battle it out for the next couple of places, each sharing a 2nd and a 3rd.
Having burnt out Alan in the F15 in the first race, Bean moved into the GP with Tog to practice for the forthcoming 24hr race. Finishing 4th might suggest they need some more practice!
Scumper/Zefer won both handicap races in their 400 with James in a Laser taking one 2nd, and Banter in a 100 taking the other.
Lighter winds are forecast for the next two days over which the five race championship series will be held.
Sunday started with camp patches and a slight shower but broke out into another bright day, and the wind filled in, albeit shifty, for the first three races of the weekend series. Visitors from Southport SC joined in with the racing, though not included in results, topping up boats to a busy 35.
Keith/John had a good first race pulling out a good lead which they held to win the F15s, while Ian/Izzy wind the second race and Mark/Ian finally got their act together to win the third.
Joan/Jack shone early in the GPs, but Dave/Lynn eventually got back into the groove winning all three races. It was good to have Jess/Sally sailing their GP together for the first time.
Bean/Naomi were back in the RS200 taking three bullets in the fast handicap fleet. Newcomer John Roberts in Pico won two slow handicap races while Jim won the other in his Hartley.
What would Bank Holiday Monday bring? While the south of the country battled through flooding and heavy rain showers, after a misty start, we were blessed with clear skies but a general lack of wind. Racing got underway after a short postponement with a light breeze from the North East but the wind would fade to drifting conditions after little more than 10 mins then return for another brief spurt. The OD was keen for the race to be a reasonable length, though he didn’t expect the tailenders viz Josh and Martin to be on the water for 90 mins!
Although the wind faded again over the lunch break, it returned from the NE to get racing back underway on a short course to manage any further wind drops. What it didn’t allow for was the wind backing to the north, making the beat a fetch! Later the wind backed further to the west (was that the sea breeze effect?) creating a beat on the final leg of the course.
Dave/Lynn again mastered the conditions winning the GP trophy with five wins. In the handicap fleet, the light airs suited Steve/Ruth in their Merlin and they were able to secure a 1st and 2nd behind Ian Hall in a Solo. However, Bean managed to get a 3rd which was enough to win the trophy.
Jim’s collision with a F15 on Sunday perhaps spurred him on to take two 1sts in the conditions and win the slow handicap trophy.
In the F15s, Ian/Lezliann only sailed two races on Sunday, but took two commanding leads on Monday to win the trophy, and denying Mark/Ian of one their few opportunities to win a series while the newer boats were elsewhere.
With racing over, the rain held off for another hour. All in all a good bank holiday!