2nd September 2022
After the disappointment of the contamination of our waters leading to cancellation of a weekends sailing , and swimming, the Club was back on the water for the Bank Holiday weekend.
Six races were forecast. The first two on Saturday were in somewhat sublime conditions, but the light wind specialists with good weight to sail power proportions found success. Rachel Wynn’s Comet took first , then third in races 1 and 2 , pushing Richard Eagleton back to second in race one , whilst Fi Brown was in the mix, another Comet, with a third and second. The Fast Supernova, of Tony Witham had a good day, first in both races from Paul Libreri, Laser Radial , race one and Tony Lane race two.
Rick Parker in his Laser Radial looks like he has the lead in the Novice class, first in both races from Pamela Middleton, race one , and Maxey Porey , race two , in similar boats.
The Cadets were lead by the Hartley helmed by Oliver Good and crew Barney Harwood, ahead of Hannah Bolton , and brother Matthew, in Toppers.
On Sunday the forecast looked challenging unless the fleet hit the water early. And that’s what they did , looking feasible , for race three, until a squall hit the sails, leading to early retirements . The recent water quality worries seemed to encourage the sailors to avoid capsizing at all costs. Of the 14 boats, half were DNF , but it left; Slow-the Palmers Miracle from Richard Eagleton, Europe; Fast-Chris Burchell, Laser Radial; Cadet-Logan Adams,Laser ; Cats-Dan and Barney Harwood , dart 16A from Ben Cole’s Sprint 15.
Mondays sea also reduced the fleet but delivered further challenging racing , leading to the overall results as follows—
Slow Fleet-Richard Eagleton, from the Palmers and Richard Bratton.
Fast-Chris Burchell from Rob Harrison, and Tony Witham
Novice-Rick Parker from Max Porey and Pamela Middleton
Cadets- Matthew Bolton from sister Hannah, and Logan Adams
Cats-Flo’ Wright, from the Harwoods and Tony Lane, plus crews.
A good and well sailed series, with more to come , with racing continuing into November, weather allowing! Interested, call in when the flags flying.