Saturday started with some champagne sailing conditions for an excellent turnout of 40 boats across the two fleets racing this weekend. It was good to see that the Mirror fleet had mainly junior, or parent/child combinations.
With a westerly wind any potential sea breeze from the blue skies would only bolster the wind strength.
The Solo fleet were a little eager on the first start resulting in a general recall, and being pushed back behind the Mirrors in the start sequence. The main downside of this being that some Mirrors were buried for a while as the Solos powered through the fleet.
Unusually, Dave Lawson in a borrowed Solo capsized part way up the first beat, but he pulled some distance back to finish in the top half of the fleet.
There was a lot of close racing, and vying for position, especially rounding marks, with plenty of calls for water, and a few penalty turns carried out.
To avoid further general recalls the U flag was used for the second race, and it generally had the desired effect with helms sitting back from the line. A general recall of the Solos in the third race of the day brought out the black flag – everyone was well behaved thereon in.
With the wind easing during the final race, the finish line was moved to the top of the second beat of the lap, perhaps just in time as the wind direction became fickle, and final positions in the race were difficult to maintain!
Overall during the afternoon there were mixed fortunes for many, but in the Solos, consistency by Martin Honnor from Ogston made him overnight leader with three 2nds, a point ahead of Innes Armstrong from Burwain with a 1st and two 3rds.
In the Mirrors, it was a battle of the Smiths. Sailing secretary Phil, with son Oliver, are overnight leaders with two 1sts and a 2nd, but he had to fight off brother Andy, with daughter Lily, who are 5 points behind and lying 2nd overnight, as well as wife Naomi with daughter Lucy!
One major incident of the afternoon was the search for a hair bobble for 3 year old Saskia after the first race…
Sunday morning was overcast with a fading wind despite a reasonable forecast for an easterly breeze. At the scheduled start time the lake was mirror like, however, shortly after 11 an easterly filled in so the OD launched to set a course. It soon became apparent that a SE wind was bedding in.
With a 10minute beat to 7 in a strengthening wind, waves building, and some white horses, there was some exciting racing, good reaches, various capsizes, and a few retirements!
The beat was shortened for the final race, but the squalls had passed through, much to the delight of the remaining sailors.
In the Solos, Martin Honnor held his lead through to race 4, but race 5 was his downfall and he retired when he couldn’t stay close enough to Innes Armstrong who won overall by one point. John Reekie was best Bass boat finishing 4th overall.
In the Mirrors, the high wind took its toll on Phil and Oliver who lost their lead to Alex and Rory Taylor in race 4, but with two 1sts and two 2nds their overall 1st place was unassailable so they opted not to race the final one. Alex’s win put him on equal points with Andy and Lily Smith, but Andy had better overall results to finish 2nd with Alex 3rd
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the peaceful passing of Keith Longstaff earlier today.