The sunny Saturday started with some junior sail training in variable light airs. It was hoped that a sea breeze would be the saviour and fill in the various flat patches, and steady the swinging breeze.
On setting the course it seemed that the sea breeze was on its way as the fleet headed to the start line, so the start sequence got underway despite a late swing back to the north resulting in a reaching start for most fleets. However, they did have to tack to reach the windward mark, as the alternate breeze filled in again. The twin airs continued to battle it out throughout the afternoon.
Perhaps it was one of the lulls between the airflows that AJ/Sue took advantage of to catch and pass Mike/Eric in the GPs? In the next race, AJ again took the lead when Mike had to do some turns, but Mike pulled back through, and presently leads the series.
A last minute decision to sail scuppered Scumper’s chances in the first race as he started behind the Mirrors & Teras! It was John Reekie in a Solo that won race 1 ahead of Colin May in a Laser. Scumper won race 2 with Stan in a Solo 2nd. Stan leads the series.
In the Slow Handicap fleet, Matthew/Cameron were practising for next weekend’s Mirror Inlands, finishing with a creditable 1st and 3rd to lead the series. Katia and Poppy were in Teras again, and vying for position with Mik in his Mirror. They all ended the day with 6 points, but Poppy’s win split the tie putting her 2nd overall, and Katia 3rd.
Sunday’s forecast was not at all promising with less wind than Saturday. Fortunately the Bass micro-climate filled the flat patches to get racing underway in another day of sunshine. There were some occasional lighter patches, and various shifts, but that’s fairly normal!
A couple of Mirror crews stepped up to the Handicap fleet with Andy/Lily in a GP, while Phil/Oliver were in a RS200. On handicap Andy took 1st place just 8 secs ahead of Phil, with Ian/Lezli-Ann 3rd. Mik won the Slow Handicap fleet, with Katia 2nd, and John Roberts 3rd.
After lunch there was a pennant race in aid of Calvert Trust. With the light winds the fleet were only sent to mark 10 which took the lead boat more than 30 mins to reach. On the return the wind strengthened, and lifted benefitting the boats further down the fleet one of which was AJ/Sue, sailing Andy’s GP, who broke through to the lead for a while. Ian/Lezli-Ann did regain the lead, but not sufficient to win on handicap, finishing 6th overall. It was to be Mik’s day, taking another win almost 50 secs ahead of AJ, with Rory in a Solo 3rd 14 secs later.
Calvert Trust Pennant results
Sandra’s Salver latest results