A glorious morning of sunshine but mirror like conditions was not what the sailors expected to find when they arrived, and it was not as the forecast. Flurries of air passed over the lake from time to time, but it started to come in with more gusto just after 11.30 enabling racing to get underway by 12.15. With Herb keen to get away to Underscar for an evening of doms, his survey of sailors before the start more comprised ‘we’re going to sail the races back to back’ which, as it turned out, was totally the right solution as the wind faded at the end of the 2nd race and and the lake was mirror like again before everyone had finished their late lunch.
As for the racing, there was a reasonable turnout of 12 boats. An undercharged battery reulsted in the first sound signal being something of a damp squib which is, perhaps, why Alan/Sue asked when their start was as they sailed through the start line 15 secs before their start! Steve/Ruth took an early lead, and although they beat Mike/Kayla on handicap they were pipped at the post (on handicap) by Joan/Jack. Alistair was trialling a Vareo, and was pleased to beat Peter on his first attempt! Paul/Vicki held off Val/Ken finishing 3rd overall. On personal handicap, Paul Clark won sailing his laser, with Paul/Vicki 2nd and Joan/Jack 3rd.
By the start of the 2nd race the wind had eased. This time Joan/Jack took the lead, Steve having started at the wrong end of the line. Several others were caught out by the changing winds as well, as this time Val/Ken managed to keep Paul/Vicki at bay, and Peter beat Alistair. The winds did freshen nicely during the race to help keep the sailors warm in the airs which were noticeably cool as the sun went behind Sale Fell. Although there was a close finish on the water, and Joan/Jack had to return to the finish having unwittingly been squeezed the wrong side of the Y limit mark by Mike, Joan took another win on handicap with Val 2nd and Mike 3rd. On personal handicap the honours went to Alistair, with Paul C 2nd and Alan 3rd.
With 4 out of the 7 scheduled races sailed, Joan leads on fleet handicap and Paul C on personal handicap.
Cool but otherwise perfect conditions set the scene for the start of the Winter Series. The fleet of thirteen boats set off in a good breeze to keep the sailors active and warm in the cool airs. The asymmetrics even managed to plane for a while on the main reach.
Congratulations to Emma and Phil Davenport on the birth of their first child Oscar last Wednesday. Congratulations also go to Nick and Natalie Smith on the birth of Scarlet, a sister to Daisy.
Steve/Elaine Hunt were the first to finish after approx 25 mins, beating Tim Knowles/Martin Statter by a couple of mins on handicap. Sue Watson opted to helm for a change, but retired in the light airs. Steve was keen to point out that he didn’t want mention of his venture into the reeds (nudge, nudge, wink, wink), but body language can be so difficult at times…
During this weekend’s GP Open there was a three way challenge between Alan/Sue, Alastair/Claire and Katharine/Glenys where the leading boat at the end of the Meeting would be bought a bottle of champagne by the others. Well, as tweeted on the day, Alan/Sue won and proudly collected their prize, and promptly shared it with the challengers to a rousing toast of “Bottoms up”