A fleet of 18 Flying Fifteen Sailors are taking part in the annual team racing for the Viking trophy. To minimise the risk of protests, one Bass team comprised Mike Moore, Simon Longstaff and Neil Currie – perhaps they will gang up against another team?!
The forecast force 3-4 did not materialise, and the wind that was available, a bitter north easterly, came through in waves changing every few minutes. Some of the lulls were frustratingly light but, as ever, the cream comes to the top, with Steve Goacher taking the first race.
Steve took the lead in the second race too, but that master of light airs Hardisty broke through to win the second race.
With a particularly slow finish a third race seemed unlikely but the wind filled in yet again. A short race was held but a reaching finish, a freshening wind, and a closely bunched fleet led to challenging recording of the finish positions. Hopefully amicable agreement will be reached over a beer or two this evening.
Another two races were scheduled for Sunday, and those that turned up early would verify that conditions looked promising. However, as soon as some disappeared into the changing room the wind did the same! Various zephyrs spread across the lake, and the direction kept changing, but the wind never filled in so by noon the racing was abandoned for the day meaning that Saturday’s results were the final outcome. As for the Grotty Potty, it went to someone who’s need was greater than most, as they had to come ashore for relief (and went aground at the same time), so the lucky recipients were Gary and Alan.
| FF Team Racing Team Scores | |||||
| 1 | Jamies Dodgers | 1 | 4 | 9 | 14 |
| 2 | You need a good Rod in it | 2 | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| 3 | Bassturds | 5 | 7 | 10 | 22 |
| 4 | Only time will tell | 3 | 12 | 16 | 31 |
| 5 | Tims Team | 9 | 13 | 14 | 36 |
| 6 | The Leopards | 15 | 17 | 18 | 50 |
Club racing was held alongside the team racing. Mik was towed out to the start, watched the fleet set off and asked when he was starting! The first race was plagued by one of the lulls. Although Banter had a good lead, Joan/Jack were close enough to beat him by 17 secs. With the wind unexpectedly filling in, and the OD starting second race straight after the F15s, some were caught out and only just made it on time. Not the case for Banter who was a minute late for the start. He did pull through to the lead, but finished 5th on handicap (would have been 4th had he not been caught out by the OD’s eagerness to get racing underway – apologies!). Joan took another win, and a commanding lead in the series