Having checked the weather forecast, which predicted a decent 6-10 knots of wind from the North Westerly direction, we arrived at Chipstead to find the lake looking like a sheet of glass…without a hint of any wind…?!? During the morning, whilst setting up and launching the fleet, this did improve, or at least it did in respect that some wind arrived, but sadly it couldn’t seem to decide whether to blow from the North West, or the North East??…meaning it would be tricky to set a course for the racers and even trickier for the racers themselves…!!

Despite this uncertainty, a course was set, with the intention being to head west along the lake, taking Mark B to port, heading downwind to Mark A, to also be taken to port, followed by a reasonably long sail down the lake to the narrows, to go around Mark D and Mark J, both to starboard. (Note: if a reasonable amount of wind stayed then these 2 marks were to be moved further into the narrows to make a larger course. Ed.) “Plan B” was, if the wind decided to swing around to North East, then the course would be reversed to Marks D, J, B, then A..!!

Eventually the time arrived for the start and as is becoming the norm with racing at Wealden, there was very little breeze and it still could not decide in which direction to blow…!?!?!? Considering the conditions, several boats still managed to make good starts, most being the usual guys in the larger boats, but they were joined at the front of the fleet by Imogen Fletcher in a double handed 303 (with Tony Merrick as crew: Ed.).
I’m sure it won’t surprise anyone to hear that the first boat to round Marks B & A was the Red Torpedo himself (Peter Gregory: Ed), although it had taken Peter nearly 10 minutes to get this far. Then, having reached half way down the leg to Mark D, with the chasing boats still making their way around Mark A, Peter found himself almost at a standstill. Behind him, David Mason and Peter Wagner in the other two 2.4m’s picked up a relatively ‘huge’ gust, which carried them down the lake and past Peter G..!! (Note: Closely followed by Imogen & Tony in the lead 303…!! Ed.).
That lead change didn’t last for too long though, because by the time they had rounded Marks D & J, Peter G had regained the lead, to be the first through the start/finish line at the end of his first lap.

By now the wind appeared to be slightly more consistent in the area of the lake in front of the race box, but this may not have been the case down in the narrows. Although it was a little tricky to see from the race box, it would seem by the times taken, that because of the very fluky winds in the narrows, everyone struggled getting successfully around the two buoys at that end of the course….
Then at around the 20 minute mark, after 4 or 5 boats had already completed their first lap, the wind died off yet again. Discussions were held in the race box as to whether to shorten or even abandon the race, but the decision was made to hang-on and see whether everyone could sail/drift to the finish…which they all did eventually, although the last finisher was at 53 minutes….?!?!

(Note: Before finishing, sailors need to complete a full lap, or laps, and be gonged through the finish line…..or they will be NOT be given a finish time….!! Ed.)

So to the results, which are: –

1. Malcolm Hill (Martin16)
2. Martin Newman (Martin16)
3. Steve Farmer (303S)
4. Peter Wagner  (2.4m)
5. David Mason  (2.4m)
6. Imogen Fletcher (303D) crew Tony Merrick
7. Mike Blatchford (Liberty)
8. Peter Gregory (2.4m)
9. Rowan Nichols (303D) crew Di
10. Bob Fisher (303S)
11. Keith Eeles (Liberty)
12. Sophie Absolom (303D) crew Graham
13. Jake Jones (Stratos) crew various
14. Fay Watson (303D) crew Sue
15. Trevor Monk (303S)

Tom Philips – DNF (Did Not Finish)
Rachel Ibbots – DNS (Did Not Start)

I’d love to be able to be writing a report about the action filled race that we had but unfortunately the conditions we had meant that this was far from the case. At times, it was like we had put the race into slow motion! So well done to everyone for persevering, it was impressive. It was lovely to also see some new faces on the race course – welcome to all of you. I promise you not all races are like this!

The wind during the starting sequence, whilst light, was keeping everyone moving and jostling for position. Everyone kept their excitement in check at the enthralling race to come leading to a clear start ready to hit the first beat. Mentionable starts came from Mike Blatchford who crossed with speed ahead of Peter G and from Fay Watson who headed up the access pack not far behind the big boats. Unfortunately after this, the wind died making the rest of the beat extremely difficult. The main pack ended up creating a raft leading up to the windward mark. From what we could see from the race box, you sorted it out well going around the mark. Hopefully this was the case on the water too.

Peter G led the fleet down the downwind leg with David and Mike following closely behind tussling for position. Ann Frewer sailed a stormer in her 2.3 to be not far behind the big boats after the windward section of the course. Well done Ann.

Fortunately the wind picked up at the end of the first lap giving us a false sense of security that this is what we were to enjoy for the rest of the race, but sadly, this was not to be. Just as we made the decision not to go for an early finish so that you could enjoy the wind that had materialised, it disappeared again and this time for good. The boats seem to just stop making progress extremely slow.

Fortunately, for us in the race box, a few racers decided to take one for the team and entertain us on the shore. Most notably was Steve’s impressive buoy hugging example. Maybe he felt the line wasn’t quite in the right position so he would move it a little bit for you such is the dedication to his fellow racer! Thanks Steve!

The last lap dragged on for everyone. It is the first time I have had to do lap times over the hour mark so well done to you all for sticking with it and getting the finish. We look forward to seeing you all next week for the next exciting instalment. As a side note, please bring some wind with you!

Here’s a few pictures to show how the action unfolded…..the end results are below..

The results are:-

1. David Mason
2. Mike Blatchford
3. Ann Frewer
4. Malcolm Hill
5. Peter Gregory
6. Louise McSweeney
7. Steve Farmer
8. Kim Sparkes
9. Fay Watson
10. Keith Eeles
11. Imogen Fletcher
12. Martin Newman

(Sorry for the shorter than average race report this week, but we have a new race officer, who was concentrating more on getting the results down correctly than writing a short story..!!! Ed)

The race was already in the starting sequence, when it was decided by the powers that be (who was that, as I wasn’t there..!! Ed), because of the poor weather, to postpone, which encouraged more entrants. The first lap was slow with a small group of the faster boats, 2.4m & Stratos getting away. The wind filled in after about 20 minutes with boats generally completing 2 or 3 laps.

Here’s a photo to show how close the finish was….

Results of Summer Series Race #4

1. David Mason (2.4m)
2. Peter Wagner (2.4m)
3. Simon Philips (Stratos)
4. Louise McSweeney (303D)
5. Keith Eeles (Liberty)
6. Mark Cayzer (303D)
7. Mike Blatchford (303S)
8. Fay Watson (303D)
9. Martin Newman (Martin 16)
10. Jake ?? (303S)