29th March Spring Series – Race 3

The Spring Equinox and the changing of the clocks brought out a much larger fleet of boats, including 5 Solos and 3 Comets. The pursuit race started in nice 10mph wind with the slower boats and Comets getting away well. Karen was the leading Comet chasing down Ron in his Mirror. The Solos started with Newton getting a good lift off the centre of the line and then a lift on port after tacking near the island, taking him into 4th place behind Karen, Ron, Chris. A gaggle of Solos and Jess in a radial followed next. Over the next lap Chris past Ron and Newton past Ron then Chris as the wind built in strength. The top 3 at the finish were Karen, Newton, Chris.

The handicap race started in further increasing wind which would now test the competitors. Steve in his recently acquired Solo and Newton started together at the port end and sailed up the shore but lost out when they had to sail behind boats after tacking. Darren got a good start and was soon in the lead and was never really challenged as the now much stronger winds suited him. On the 2nd lap Ralph who was going well a bit behind Daren and Mike & Ale, hit the top of his head on the boom as he gybed around 8 and subsequently capsize. Thankfully dispite the all the blood running down his face and being checked over later there was no serious injury. He righted his boat a retired. Karen seeing Ralph capsized in sympathy in the same spot. Jess also capsized as she gybed round 6 allowing Steve and Newton who had a tight battle to close, Rick who was once with these two was fading. Steve and Newton battled it out up wind on the last lap a short distance behind Jess, who capsized again rounding 3 allowing Steve and Newton to pass and Roland to catch. At the last mark before the line Steve was about a boat length ahead of Newton, Newton tacked off took a better angle to the line and finished 2s ahead of Steve. The order at the finish was Darren, Mike & Ale, Newton, Steve, Karen. On Handicap it was Darren, Karren 3sec ahead of Jess & Newton (tied) then Steve 1 sec back. Just 4 secs covering 2nd to 5th!

Further back Kate and Aileen had a close battle which changed a few times with Kate finishing ahead in the end.