Saturday started with sunshine and an unexpected SE breeze for the two race Celebrity Glass Pursuit series. Over 30 boats started the first race over a 46 minute start sequence, with the Reekie’s sandwiching the fleet (James in an Optimist being in the first start and John in a 49er in the last start), during which the wind eased, then picked up at John’s start.
The conditions helped James in his Optimist maintain the lead to the start of what turned out to be the final beat when he was caught by Naomi in a Mirror. However, the wind faded and it ended up that the whole fleet, bar two, were on the same leg when the shorten course signal was sounded (perfect handicapping?). Matty in his Tera mastered the light winds only to be pipped to the finishing line by a matter of seconds by Rob in a Phantom, with Naomi 3rd.
The challenging final beat put many off sailing another race, but seven showed interest, so the OD set another start line only for the wind to fill in from the NE, so the line was moved, course set, and racing got underway before the wind swung again! Fortunately, the wind held for the full race which Chris/Evie led throughout, though on handicap it was won by Dave/Lynn in their GP, followed by Mike/Jack in a Graduate.
Overall, Dave/Lynn beat Chris/Evie by one point, with Mike/Jack 3rd
Final results Celebrity Glass Pursuit
Clear skies and a mild southerly greeted sailors on Sunday morning for the start of the first championship weekend series of the season.
Some sailors were just starting their racing season and found the position of some hard to grasp!…
Throughout the course of the day there were numerous hard beats to mark 7 where the wind strength, and swell, increased as it funnelled through the narrows, several capsizes, a couple of boats OCS, some great reaches, and some close racing to boot. After three hard races many sailors knew they would be sleeping well that night!
Over the 40 boats racing the overnight leaders were Neil/Rory in the F15s, Rob in a Phantom in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in the GPS, and Phil/Oliver in a Mirror in the Slow Handicap fleet
By Monday morning, the clouds had moved in, the winds eased, and swung to the west.
As the morning race progressed the wind came back in, but without the swell of Sunday afternoon. There were some good spinnaker reaches, a few capsizes (and that was just Shunty!), and some shifty conditions on the beats to contend with, as well as a lap more than many appreciated, or were used to!
One final race after lunch was held in slightly lighter, but sunnier conditions, and topped off a great weekend.
Overall the winners were Neil/Rory with the Easterly Trophy in the F15s, Joe with the Easter Trophy in the Handicap fleet, Dave /Lynn with the Bass Tankard in the GPs, and Phil/Oliver MT Image Trophy in the slow handicap fleet.