Another bustling Saturday morning for the cadets and juniors, with sufficient breeze to get them all on the water.
The northerly breeze was cold, but the sunshine helped temper the conditions (when it wasn’t hiding behind the odd cloud!). The fleet of 26 boats had to contend with a light breeze which swung, and eased from time to time, causing the fleet to spread out, and prolong the first race. The wind was a couple of minutes late settling in for the second race (way too cold to hang about waiting for it!) but it held, and the shorter course kept the fleet together.
The mixed conditions resulted in mixed fortunes, however, John Reekie in his Solo was more consistent than others with a 1st and 2nd to lead the series overall, with Dave/Lynn in their GP on 4 points and 2nd overall.
After a freezing night, Sunday started with clear blue skies and no wind. However it did fill in from the north in time for racing. It must have been colder than Saturday as AJ wore his drysuit, rather than just his shorts! Shifty as ever, ground could be readily gained, or lost, depending on whether you were in the right part of the beat at the right time.
Dave/Lynn beat John/Jack to regain the lead in the series, while Robbie D beat Joan/Jack trialling a Graduate to maintain his lead in the series.
The second race was the first pennant of the season, though the OD opted to keep the fleet in the northern bay, wary that the forecast was for the wind to pick up and back to the west. Soon after the start, worryingly, the wind dropped but filled in again after five minutes, before swinging and picking up as forecast. John/Jack in their GP lead the fleet, and won the race ahead of Robbie D in his Solo. As racing finished, a snow flurry could be seen over the Caldbeck hills…
Eric Twiname Trust pennant results