Firstly, apologies for the delay and short report. I went camping over the weekend with mixed results. Sadly the wind that greeted us for the race on Thursday didn’t remain and at 4am our tent tried to blow away with us in it, leading us to de-camp and head home! I think I’ll just stick to sailing.

Near perfect conditions on Thursday led to a really great race. Another clear start which is always good to see. However, it would be good to see you all pushing to be on the line as the gun goes to gain valuable extra ground. Just remember your rules if you do it to avoid collisions! The most notable start of the day went to David Mason followed by Mike Blatchford and Peter Wagner. Fay Watson and David also started well up the first windward leg.

David Mason amassed a good lead round the 1st mark. However, Martin found some speed and overtake him. Peter also made a move to catch up and was just 7 seconds behind David at the first mark. The 303s were all fighting it out with Fay Watson leading the charge at the end of the first lap.

On the second lap, Peter made a move and overtook David leading him by 5 seconds at the gate. Mike and Malcolm were also battling it out, just 8 seconds apart at the gate. The 303s were even tighter with 2 seconds between David and Fay and Mark only a further 30 seconds further back.

On the third lap. Martin stayed well ahead of the pack with Peter and David chasing him. David, having relinquished 2nd place to Peter in the second lap, regained control leading him by 6 seconds at the gate. Malcolm made a move and overtook Mike in the Liberty. Further back, the 303s powered to the finish. David gained time on the final lap, finishing 34 seconds ahead of Fay. Mark Cayzer had a difficult final lap but kept going getting to the line.

On the final lap for the final 3, on the water positions remained constant with Martin crossing the line first ahead of David and Peter.

Another great race is really near perfect conditions. You’ve got me solo in the race box again next week so keep doing your wind prayers and we will hopefully be in for another good instalment.

The race results were:

1. Martin Norman
2. Mike Blatchford
3. David (303D) – David or your crew, if you read this, would let me know your surnames. Peter Ashwell
4. David Mason
5. Gay Watson
6. Peter Wagner
7. Malcolm Hill
8. Mark Cayzer

Altogther, it was a great day to be on the water. A lot less wind than in recent weeks but nevertheless enough and very challenging. Here is a short video clip of the start of the race – watch in amazement at the advantage David Mason gets starting from the top of the Start Line. He literally looks as if he has an outboard assist. Well done….and this was a lead which he never looked like losing over the next 3 laps. And, for the mere mortals amongst the rest of you, pick out your own boat and see if you could have chosen a better place to start or a better route to the first mark.

Here are a few photos of the race’s slow moving action. Patience was the order of the day and, in some of the photos, you can see how important it is to know the sailing rules. Who is the stand on boat and who must bear away? And at the end….we all had our lunch al fresco in beautiful sunshine.

The Race result is:

1. David Mason – 2.4m – #108
2. Mike Blatchford – Liberty #23
3. Martin Norman – Martin – Sail #126
4. Peter Wagner – 2.4m – #109
5. Malcolm Hill and his crew Nigel Lamb – Martin #125
6. Mark Cayzer and his crew Alan Cayzer – 303D – #4
7. Fay Watson and her crew James Thomas – 303D – #1
8. John Beck and his crew Danyel – 303D – #745
9. Tom Phillips – 303S – #7

Here is a short video clip of the start of the race – please note how carefully the 303 nearest the Start Line is careful to avoid going over the line until the START GONG sounds. And – for something completely different – what do you think is happening aboard two of the 303s – one with yellow and the other with blue sails?

And here are some photos of boat-on-boat action taken throughout the race. It is clear that there is some very good sail trimming going on and tactical thinking. Well done and keep it up.

The Race result is:

1. Mike Blatchford – Martin – #125
2. Malcolm Hill and his crew Matt Bryant – Martin – Sail #126
3. David Mason – 2.4m – #108
4. Fay Watson and her crew James Thomas – 303D – #1
5. Mark Cayzer and his crew Mark Skipper – 303D – #4
6. Peter Wagner – 2.4m – #109
7. Martin Norman – Liberty – #22
8. Peter Gregory – 2.4m -#148
9. Rowan Nicholls and his crew Allan Griffiths – 303D – #2
10. Ann Frewer and her crew Bruce – 303D – #5
11. Bill Garry – 303S – #7

Tom Phillips and Louise McSweeney were also out on the water during the race. Well done to all the racers. The results have been added to the summary sheet on the website.

The first race of the new season saw an intrepid baker’s dozen out on the water in good time to be ready and close to the Start Line before the 3 minute gong sounded at 11.27 (Do you think every Helm and Crew were ready? Check the photos of the start below 🙂 Ed)

With a keen 10 to 12 knot wind blowing in from the NNW, a course was set from the Start line (between Mark K and a flag in the midst of the lake), beating up to and leaving Mark C to port and this leg was followed by a lovely broad reach across the lake to Mark A. After rounding Mark A to port, the fleet faced a long downwind leg eastward whilst getting back to the north shore of the lake so as to be able to gybe round Mark D to starboard before a shorter downwind leg to Mark J, placed close to the south bank, and the start of the long beat back through the Start/Finish gate (to complete the lap) and head from Mark C.

As can be seen from the photos below, the fleet was quickly across the Start Line but different Helms had different strategies. So, look at some of the sail numbers in these photos and see where they finished, four laps and 30 minutes later. Of course each class has a distinct handicap (which we call a Portsmouth Yardstick) and they are taken into consideration when working out the Race Result.

As many of the helms have got used to, a certain red torpedo seems to fly away from them in the early legs of the race. This race was no exception as can be seen above and in these two photos (How does he do that? Ed)

The Race Result was..

1. Mike Blatchford – Martin – Sail #125
2. David Mason – 2.4m – #108
3. Peter Wagner – 2.4m – #109
4. Peter Gregory – 2.4m -#148
5. Mark Cayzer and his crew John Masters – 303D – #6
6. Martin Norman – Liberty – #22
7. Fay Watson and her crew James Thomas – 303D – #3
8. Imogen Fletcher and her crew Maria – 303D – #1
9. Malcolm Hill and his crew Helen Fairfax – Martin – #126
10. Lydia – 2.3S – #279

Tom Phillips in a 303 # 4 and Rachel Ibbotts in a 303 # 8 retired. Jen, a new volunteer, helmed a Liberty # 21 for fun!!