Reading Sailing Club Members

With an ENE wind (but swinging around slightly) of about 11 mph, Peter R used a Tektona start with a first beat to X (near 8 but slightly further out) then 1, 3, 5, 2. This gave everyone the dilemma of which side of the island to opt for on the way from X to 1 !

Pursuit Race

Phoebe was first away in her Oppie followed by Ron & Milo ( Mirror), then the Toppers of Emily and Shiloh and three and a half minutes later Chris H (Comet) and Rhys (4.7) got away.

At the end of the first lap Phoebe was still leading by quite a distance and looking as if she might hang on for the victory. However by the time the gun went she had been caught by some of the later starting fast boats, but she still got a 7^th place. The final order was –

1^st Ellen & Newton (RS200); 2^nd Mike T (Laser); 3^rd Steve S (Solo); 4^th Chris H ( (Comet); 5^th  Mike C & Sally (Leader); 6^th Dave & Ann (Leader); 7^th Phoebe (Oppie)  

Six different boats in the first seven !

Handicap Race

The course for the second race was changed to X, 5, 1, 2 and back through the start.

Richard S (Laser) was first back across the line but he was closely followed by Newton & Ellen (RS200), Steve S (Solo) and Hugh (Laser – nice to see you back on the water Hugh). About 30 seconds later Dave & Ann (Leader) came through followed by a tight bunch led by Rhys (4.7), then Adrian (Laser), Rick (Laser) and Mike T (Laser). Another close trio followed with Chris H (Comet) battling with Sally & Mike C (Leader) and Jeremy (Laser). About a minute later Ron & Milo (Mirror) crossed the line in 13^th place followed by Nev & Mike in the third Leader. Then there was a bit of a gap back to sisters Emily in her Topper and Phoebe in her Oppie.  James came to grief near the end of the lap when his boom got trapped and although he tried to re-rig on the water he eventually had to retire. At the end of this first lap the whole fleet was still close together and rounding marks was a tight affair.

Richard still led at the end of the second lap just ahead of Newton & Ellen, but Mike T gained six places to move up to 3^rd place. Hugh and Dave & Ann crossed the line together in the battle for 5^th place and Nev & Mike also gained six places moving up to 8^th spot. Chris H gained a place to move up to 9^th and Jeremy made up two to move to 10^th. Emily and Phoebe were gamely battling on at the back of the fleet.

By the end of the third lap Newton & Ellen had managed to snatch the lead from Richard with Mike T still in 3^rd. Steve S retired when lying in 4^th place (presumed gear failure) and Hugh eased away from Dave & Ann to consolidate the 4^th spot vacated by Steve. Nev & Mike were up another place to 6^th place and Jeremy gained three places to move up to 7^th and Rick regained three places to move to 10^th.  Emily received the gun at the end of this lap and Phoebe also finished. On this lap the wind had increased slightly and there were some strong gusts coming through, which caused some exciting moments for a number of competitors.

At the end of the fourth and last lap there was no change in the order of the first six boats. Chris gained two places to finish in 7^th place, just pipping Adrian across the line. Rick gained another place to finish 9^th and Sally & Mike C also gained a place to take 10^th with Jeremy, Rhys and Ron bringing up the rear.

The finishing order on the water was –

1^st Newton & Ellen; 2^nd Richard S; 3^rd Mike T; 4^th Hugh; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Nev & Mike

On corrected time it’s smoke and mirrors time and just when you do not expect it up pops Ron (this time ably assisted by grandson Milo) to steal the victory from the front runners! Then along comes the other silent assassin Chris H to take the 2^nd spot, which means the two leaders are pushed down to 3^rd and 4^th places and the two Leaders retain their 5^th and 6^th positions pushing Mike T and Hugh down two places..

Thanks to Peter R and the OOD Team of Dean J, Gareth D, Mike A, Richard C, Robbie H and Sam S.

James had to contend with a light NE wind of about 8 mph, which is always a tricky direction when setting a course. He opted for a Tektona start with the first mark as A (near to 7, but further down the lake) then B (near to  6, but again further down the lake to avoid the wind shield of the trees on the North bank), 8, 5, 8,4, 2 and back through the start.

Pursuit race

There were 12 starters this morning with Ben joining the Sunday fleet for the first time sailing a Pico (welcome to the Sunday fleet Ben). Chris H (Comet) and Rhys (4.7) were first away and Chris was still leading at the end of the first lap with Dave & Ann (Leader) in 2^nd place but being caught by Jon (Laser) and Bill (K1). At the gun the final positions were –

1^st Chris – Comet; 2^nd Bill – K1; 3^rd Jon – Laser; 4^th Ellen & Newton – RS 200; 5^th Dave & Ann – Leader; 6^th Richard S – Laser

Handicap Race

Everyone started the second race, which turned out to be just two laps because of the light wind. Newton & Ellen (RS200) were first back through the line about 30 seconds ahead of Richard S (Laser) in 2^nd place, who was just ahead of Ralph (Laser). Bill (K1) was a lonely 4^th place well ahead of Chris (Comet) and Rick (Laser) and they were about 30 seconds ahead of Jon and Adrian, who crossed the line together in their Lasers. Dean & Nick (Vago) were not far behind, but they were two minutes ahead of Dave & Ann (Leader) and Rhys (4.7) and bringing up the rear was Ben (Pico).

At the end of the final lap, there was no change with the first four boats, but Jon had moved up two places to 5^th spot and that was the only change in position in the entire fleet.

The final positions on the water were –

1^st Newton & Ellen; 2^nd Richard S; 3^rd Ralph; 4^th Bill; 5^th Jon; 6^th Rick

On corrected time the first two keep their places, but Chris moves up to 3^rd pushing the others down one place.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Alistair J, Bea P, Ian B, Mike C, Mike T and Sophie.

Light winds this morning so Adrian set a short course of X, 5, 9, 4 and back though the start.

Pursuit race

There were 13 starters and at the end of the first lap Mike C & Sally (Leader) were leading ahead of Ellen & Newton (RS200) with Jon (Laser) in 3^rd place having just passed Nev & Mike in the second Leader out today. Simon (Blaze) was catching them fast followed by Bill in his K1.

At the gun the order was –

1^st Ellen & Newton; 2^nd Mike C & Sally; 3^rd Simon; 4^th Jon; 5^th Bill; 6^th Nev & Mike

Handicap Race

Everyone started the second race and at the end of the first lap Simon came through the line one minute ahead of Newton & Ellen, who were closely followed by Ralph (Laser) and Bill (K1). Then Jon and Rick both in Lasers crossed the line virtually together with Jon’s bow just ahead. Thirty seconds late Nev & Mike crossed in 7^th place with Dean & Nick (Vago), Gareth E (Laser) and Richard S (Laser) close behind them. Sally & Mike C were only ten seconds further back, but they were well ahead of Franz (Laser) and Emily (Topper).

On the second lap Simon doubled his lead and there was no change in the order of the next five boats, but Richards S gained three places to move up to 7^th place and Nev & Mike passed Gareth E to move up one place.

No change in the leading three at the end of the third lap, but Jon had moved up one place to 4^th by passing Bill. Nev & Mike passed Dean & Nick and Rick to move up to 6^th place, but no other changes in the right direction? Emily, the only young sailor out today, received the gun at the end of the lap.

On the fourth lap Jon moved up to 3rd place and Bill up to 4^th place at the expense of Ralph and everyone else maintained station.

At the end of the fifth and last lap (for nearly everyone) Simon was now six minutes ahead of second placed Newton & Ellen and he was so far ahead that Adrian sent him round for another lap in case he felt deprived of race time! Bill pipped Jon by one second for 3^rd place and Richard S got past Nev & Mike to take 6^th spot and Rick snatched 8^th place from Dean & Nick.

The final order on the water was –

1^st Simon; 2^nd Newton & Ellen; 3^rd Bill; 4^th Jon; 5^th Ralph; 6^th Richard S.

On corrected time, no change in the first two places, bur Nev & Mike take 3rdwithJon, Ralph and Richardkeeping their places.

Thanks to Adrian and the OOD Team of Gareth D, Issy, John W, Karen T and Ron.   

It was not quite as windy as previous Sundays this morning about 8 – 10 mph, but it kept swinging from WSW to WNW, which made Mike A’s job of setting the start line very tricky. For the first race he set the first mark as X (on the buoy line about halfway between 5 and 6).

Pursuit race

20 starters and there was a reasonable breeze at the start of the race, but by the time the Lasers started this had died away, which resulted in a mass rounding of the first mark. In fact, Ron (Mirror) was approaching X just as the Lasers were clearing it! Fellow early starters, Chris H (Comet), Rhys (4.7), Mike C & Sally (Leader), Will (Radial) and Dave & Ann (Leader) occupied 2^nd to 6^th places at the end of the first lap.

The gun went about halfway through the second lap with the final order as – 1^st Chris H; 2^nd Will; 3^rd Mike C & Sally; 4^th Rhys; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Simon (Blaze)

Ron would have been 2^nd, but unfortunately missed out the first mark on the first lap!

Handicap Race

 The wind got up a bit more for the second race and swung to the South, so the start line was adjusted, and X dropped, so the first mark was now 5, and 6 and 7 were added to the end of the course. Steve S (Solo) joined the fleet making 21 starters for the handicap race.

Simon (Blaze) was first back through the line with Julian B (D-Zero) chasing him. Then there was a slight gap before Newton & Ellen (RS200) crossed the line in 3^rd place followed closely by Mike T (Laser) in 4^th. About one minute later Jon (Laser) came through in 5^th place followed by Bill (K1) and the Lasers of Ralph and Richard S. Chris H (Comet) was next along in 10^th place, just ahead of Steve S (Solo) and Rick (Laser). About a minute later James (Laser) crossed in 12^th spot with Alistair S (Laser) not far behind him and Dave & Ann (Leader) overlapping him across the line and the other Leader with Sally and Mike C right on Dave & Ann’ transom. Jeremy (Laser) was only 5 seconds behind them leading another tight group consisting of Will (Radial), Gareth E (Laser), Adrian (Laser), Ron (Mirror) and Rhys (4.7). So, the back half of the fleet was enjoying some very close sailing.

Simon increased his lead slightly on the second lap, as did Julian on the 3^rd placed boat of Newton & Ellen with Mike T still chasing in 4^th place. Ralph moved up two places to 5^th by passing Jon and Bill. Rick also moved up two places to 9^th just behind Richard S passing Chris H and Steve S in the process. Alistair also moved up two by passing Chris and James and in the Leader battle behind them Sally & Mike C had got past Dave & Ann. Further back Adrian was another to gain two places passing Will and Gareth E and Ron also got past Gareth with Rhys not far behind them.

By the end of the third lap Julian had made up some ground on Simon, but Simon was still leading. No change in position for the next two, but Jon had regained 5^th place from Ralph. The 8^th, 9^th and 10^th positions were still held by Richard, Rick and Steve, but James had moved up two places to 11^th. Further back Adrian and Gareth both gained a place and Gareth, Ron and Rhys received the gun at the end of this lap.

At the end of the fourth and last lap, Simon crossed in 1^st place with Julian not far behind in 2^nd place and Newton & Ellen claimed 3^rd with Mike T not far behind in 4^th (coming home in pairs!) Ralph just pipped Jon for 5^th place and Richard just pipped Bill for 7^th place!  In the fleet behind there were no other changes in position. The final positions on the water were –

1^st Simon; 2^nd Julian; 3^rd Newton & Ellen; 4^th Mike T; 5^th Ralph; 6^th Jon  

On corrected time there was no change in position, which is quite unusual for our mixed fleet!

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Mike Todd, Steve George and Tony Riley.

Spring Series 2 races should have taken place last Sunday, but with winds of 40 mph plus, SOOD Roland S wisely decided that it was a non-starter, much to the relief of most!

This week was a little better with a West wind of about 20 mph and stronger gusts. Most of the Lasers had opted for radial rigs and Will had dropped down to a 4.7. Julian B turned up with his new Devoti D-Zero, a new addition to our mixed fleet. Mark B set the first mark as 4, then 2, 5, 9, 6, 7 and back through the start.

Pursuit race

17 starters which was pretty good considering the testing conditions. At the end of the first lap, early starters Ron (Mirror) and Chris H (Comet) were still ahead, but Mike T and Jon (Lasers) were closing in on them. Sally & Mike C (Leader) came to grief early on and retired. Everyone else persevered, including Emily in her Topper and by the finish gun Jon had taken the lead and the final order was –

1^st Jon – Laser; 2^nd Mike T – Laser; 3^rd Ron – Mirror; 4^th Julian B – D-Zero; 5^th Adrian – Laser; 6^th Steve S – Aero

Handicap Race

Sally & Mike C having got warm and dry decided to stay that way and Julian joined them, which took us down to 15 for the second race. This was further reduced to 13 when Mike T and Ralph both retired on the first lap. First back through the line was Steve S followed about 30 seconds later by Jon and then Newton, with new crew Sam in the RS200 with James (Laser) on their transom. About a minute later Adrian crossed in 5^th place with Will (Radial but flying a 4.7) not far behind. Another minute passed before Dean & Nick (Vago) hove into sight, just ahead of Ron, Chris H and Jeremy (Laser) with Rick and Alistair also in Lasers slightly further back but enjoying a good battle of their own. Emily bravely battled on at the rear of the fleet.

On the second lap Rick and Alistair caught and passed Jeremy and that was the only change in position, but on the third lap we lost two more when Steve S retired from the lead and Alistair got a nasty bang on his nose, splitting it across the bridge and was forced to retire. Jon was now in the lead, but there was no change in the order of next five boats. Rick gained two places to move to 7^th by passing Ron and Chris H. Ron, Chris, Jeremy and Emily all received the gun at the end of this lap.

On the last lap the only change in position was Rick gaining another place up to 6^th by passing Dean & Nick. The final positions on the water were –

1^st Jon; 2^nd Newton & Sam; 3^rd James; 4^th Adrian; 5^th Will; 6^th Rick; 7^th Dean & Nick

On corrected time Jon takes the victory, but Ron moves up to 2^nd with Newton & Sam down to 3^rd place. James takes 4^th with Adrian and Will 5^th and 6^th.

Emily did a great job sailing in difficult conditions which deterred many from sailing at all. Well done Emily!

Thanks to Mark B and the OOD Team of Ann & Dave, John H and Richard S. In fact, Ann & Dave and Richard all volunteered on the day, as there were four no-shows! So special thanks to them or we would not have had a race at all.

It was very windy morning and nearly all capsized at some point. In fact, at one point a big gust came through and knocked four or five down like skittles.

Pursuit race

There were 10 starters and enough wind for the fast boys at the back to catch the early starterswith Simon in his Blaze coming through the fleet to take the gun at time up. Mike T (Laser) was 2^nd and Will (Radial) did well to stay ahead of James (Laser) and claim the family honours by finishing 3^rd.

Steve S (Aero) was 5^th with Adrian (Laser) in 6^th place.

Handicap Race

Franz decided not to take part, so we were down to 9 for the second race of the day.

It was a three-lap affair and Simon led for all three laps with Steve S in 2^nd place for all three laps

At the end of the first lap Adrian was 3^rd just ahead of James in 4^th with Mike T 5^th. Some way back Chris H (Comet) in 6^th place was well ahead of Ron (Mirror), Will (Radial) and Dean & Nick in the Vago, the only double-hander out today.

On the second lap Mike T moved up to 3^rd place with James retaining 4^th with Adrian down to 5^th.

The main excitement was towards the rear of the fleet with Team Vago. The Jones boys were excelling in their capsizes, including one with the spinnaker up! The onlookers watched knowing exactly what was going to happen. Things went further downhill for them after that, because they missed out No 6. Eventually they got back and rounded 6, then capsized again, and then acquainted themselves with the trees. They even jinked the rescue boat because in attempting to recover them its bung came out and the boat filled with water. Prime candidates for the Endeavour trophy for battling on through adversity.

Chris, Ron and Will all received the gun at the ed of the lap.

Back to the final lap and no change in the front three, but Adrian had repassed James to take 4^th place. The final positions on the water were –

1^st Simon; 2^nd Steve S; 3^rd Mike; 4^th Adrian; 5^th James; 6^th Chris H (one lap down)

On corrected time the first three retain their positions, but Ron moves up to 4^th with Adrian 5^th and James 6^th.

Unfortunately, the names of the OOD Team were not recorded on the race sheet, but should have been Dave P, Christopher K, Issy, Mark P, Mark R and Simon R, so thanks to you if you turned up, if not where were you!

This was actually the eleventh race in the Frostbite Series but scheduled as Race 12 on the calendar as Race 9 did not take place, because the lake was frozen.

Now that is cleared up, this was the last race in the Frostbite Series and going into this race Newton was one point clear ahead of Mike Trussler for the series win. In fact, Mike won the race on the water, which was all he could do, but neither Mike nor Newton won the race on corrected time. However, congratulations to Newton as he did win the overall series.

James was SOOD today and he had to cope with a very light wind of only 2-3 mph, but it did increase slightly towards the end of the race. He used a Tektona start and the first mark was X (near the buoy line roughly halfway between 4 and 5), then 4, 2, and back though the start. A prudent short course in case the wind disappeared completely!   

There were 16 starters and Mike T (Laser) and Nev & Mike (Leader) were over eager and across the line at the gun. Mike because he was chasing the series win and Nev & Mike because they were locked in battle with Sally & Mike C for the series Leader honours.  

At the end of the lap Richard S (Laser) was first back through the line closely followed by Steve S (Solo) with a slight gap back to Bill (K1) and a recovering Mike T (Laser) in 4^th place. Newton (Solo) was not far behind them in 5^th place with Adrian (Laser) in 6^th and Chris H (Comet) 7^th. Despite the dodgy start Nev & Mike were through next, just ahead of Sally & Mike C in the second Leader, which set up a good race long battle. Ellen (Laser), not enjoying the light wind, was next through in 10^th place. Then there was a delay of two minutes before Jeremy (Laser) crossed in 11^th place and he was well ahead of Ron (Mirror), who in turn was well ahead of Emily (Topper). Chasing her was Rick (Laser) and Will (Radial) followed by Sam (Laser).

By the end of the second lap Mike T had come to the fore setting Newton the challenge of trying to stay within handicap time of him. Steve was still 2^nd with Richard and Bill slipping back to 3^rd and 4^th places. Nev & Mike had passed Chris to move up to 7^th place. The 9^th to 12^th places remained unchanged, but Will and Emily both gained a place.

On the third lap with the light wind and a bunched fleet there was quite a lot of movement ! Adrian gained three places to move up to 3^rd, Chris gained four places to move up to 4^th place, Nev & Mike gained two places to 5^th and Sally & Mike C moved up one place to 8^th. Ellen decided that she had had enough and retired.

At the end of the fourth lap there was no change in the order of the first five boats, but Richard repassed Newton to move up to 6^th spot. Bill regained two places to move to 8^th and everyone else maintained station or lost places. Sam received the finish gun at the end of the lap.

The fifth lap saw the first three unchanged with Newton moving up to 4^th place and Richard repassing Nev & Mike to move to 5th. Sally & Mike C regained a place to move right behind Nev & Mike in the battle of the Leaders. There were no other changes in position and Will, Rick and Emily received the finish gun at the end of the lap.

Mike crossed the line in 1^st place at the end of the last lap with Steve keeping the 2^nd place he had held right from the first lap. Ominously for Mike, Newton had gained another place to finish 3^rd and Chris and Nev & Mike gained two places to finish in 4^th and 5^th places at the expense of Adrian and Richard.

The final positions on the water were –

1^st Mike T; 2^nd Steve S; 3^rd Newton; 4^th Chris H; 5^th Nev & Mike; 6^th Adrian

The final positions on corrected time were always going to be a problem for the leaders on the water and were – 1^st Ron; 2^nd Chris; 3^rd Steve; 4^th Mike T; 5^th Newton; 6^th Nev & Mike

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Angela M, Bea P, Jeremy T, Mark D, Mike T, Nick J and Rhys P.

With a wind from the South about 10- 13 mph, Dave P set the first mark as 1, then 2, 4, 9, 6, 7 and back through the start.

16 starters this morning and Simon (Blaze) was off to his usual fast first lap crossing the line already one minute ahead of Mark B, who was being chased by the Lasers of Ellen, Alistair S, Jon and Richard S. Bill (K1) and Newton (Solo) were next through in 7^th and 8^th places followed by James in another Laser.  About a minute later Dave & Ann (Leader) came along ahead of Adrian (Laser) and Chris H (Comet) and Sally & Mike C, the latter two boats crossing the line together. Dean & Nick (Vago) were chasing them and bringing up the rear was Rick (Laser) and Ron (Mirror).     

By the end of the second lap Simon had doubled his lead and Ellen had passed Mark to move up to 2^nd place and Jon had passed Alistair to move up to 4^th place. James and Adrian had both moved up one by passing Newton and Dave & Ann respectively. Further back Dean & Nick had gained two places and Rick one.

On the third lap the first four retained their positions, but James moved up three places to 5^th and Adrian moved up one place to 9^th. Sally & Mike C and Rick also gained a place.

The fourth lap saw Jon passing Mark to move up to 3^rd behind Simon and Ellen. Bill gained three places to move to 5^th and Richard regained 6^th place by getting past Alistair. Newton repassed Adrian to move back to 9^th place, but there were no other movers in the right direction!

Dave & Ann holding 11^th place, Sally & Mike C, Rick, Dean & Nick, Chris and Ron were all finished atr the end of the lap.

At the end of the last lap Simon finished in 1^st place well ahead of Ellen in 2^nd place. Jon would have been 3^rd but he missed out No 6, the penultimate mark, and handed 3^rd place to Mark. Bill just got his bow in front of Richard S to take 4^th place from him. The only other change in position was Newton passing James to take 7^th place.

Final positions on the water were –

1^st Simon; 2^nd Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Bill; 5^th Richard S; 6^th Alistair S

On corrected time Simon and Ellen keep their 1^st and 2^nd places, but Newton moves up to 3^rd pushing Mark down to 4^th place. Richard S keeps his 5^th spot with guess who popping up to 6^th place? It’s that man in the Mirror again, Ron the one!

Thanks to Dave P and the OOD Team of Dave I, Mark, Nick T and JC (sorry JC could not read your name on the race sheet, but thanks for turning out)

Last Sunday should have been Frostbite 9 race, but the lake was frozen (for the first time this Winter and hopefully the last!). Not that it was a great deal warmer this morning with a cold strong WNW wind about 12 – 14 mph. Ellen set X as the first mark (North of 5 on the buoy line) then 5, 1, 4, 3, 8 and back through the start.

There were 13 starters and first back through the line was Mike T (Laser) followed by the Lasers of Jon, James, Ralph and Adrian all fairly close together. Next through the line were Sally & Mike C in the first of the three Leaders out today, just ahead of Newton (Solo) in 7^th place. Then came the second of the Leaders manned by the jolly bandsmen Nev & Mike N, only just ahead of Mark D (Laser) and the Jones boys in the Vago, who were being chased by Dave & Ann in the third Leader.

Bringing up the rear were the spanners in the works, Chris H (Comet) and Ron (Mirror), just when you think you are far enough ahead – you find out that you were not far enough ahead!

At the end of the second lap there was no change in order for the Laser lads at the front, although they were having a good scrap. Newton had gained a place by passing Sally & Mike C and Mark D had got past Nev & Mike N. If the boys at the front were having fun, so were the three Leaders and the Vago in the double-hander battle.

On the third lap there was still no change at the front with Mike T still leading (but not by much) from Jon with James in 3^rd place. Further back Nev & Mike N had repassed Mark D and were closing on Sally & Mike C, but there were no other changes in position.

Chris and Ron who had been ploughing a lone furrow at the back of the fleet or perhaps making a solitary wake, received the finish gun at the end of this lap.

At the finish Mike T crossed the line about 20 seconds ahead of Jon with James in 3^rd place about two minutes further back. Adrian and Ralph had a close tussle all though the race and Adrian just pipped him across the line for 4^th place. Newton who had a bit of a lonely race, with the Lasers away in front and Mark D and the Double Handers behind (did they make the charts in the 70s?), finished 6^th.

Nev & Mike N could not quite catch Sally & Mike who took the Leader honours. Behind them Dean & Nick had managed to ease away from Dave & Ann, who may have had a moment as their last lap was their slowest of the race.

The order on the water was – 1st Mike T; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd James; 4^th Adrian; 5^th Ralph; 6^th Newton

On corrected time the first two keep their places, but Ron moves up to 3^rd (told you!). Newton moves up to 4^th with James 5^th and Adrian 6^th.

Thanks to Ellen and the OOD Team of Alistair S, Bob W, Chris M, Gary W,  Jeremy and Rick.    

There was a biting cold wind coming from the NW blowing about 18-20 mph with gusts of 40 or more. Dave I set the first mark as 6 then 9, 5, 3, 8 and back through the start. There were five Laser variants with Ralph and Adrian boldly opting for full rigs.

Seven hardy souls set forth and Ralph was first back through the line just ahead of James (using his Radial rig) with Will (Radial) and Adrian not far behind them. Then about two minutes later Chris H (Comet) came through just in front of Rhys (4.7) and Ron (Mirror).

At the end of the second lap Ralph had slightly increased his lead with Will now 2^nd, but only just from James. Behind these Ron had caught and passed Rhys and it is probable that Adrian was still 4^th but was missed crossing the line.

Ralph came to grief on the third lap and retired, by no means the first to capsize and definitely not the last! James was now in the lead one minute ahead of Will, with Chris H moving up to 3^rd. Adrian crossed in 4th place about two minutes ahead of Ron, and Rhys who was further back and had gamely battled on was finished (in more ways than one!)

Just after starting the last lap Chris went over and embedded his mast, he managed to pull it clear, but when righting the boat, it came straight back over him and re-embedded the mast! Meanwhile James had got slightly further ahead of son Will and they crossed the finish line well clear of Adrian in 3^rd place with Ron persevering to cross in 4^th place.

The final positions on the water were-

1^st James; 2^nd Will; 3^rd Adrian; 4^th Ron; 5^th Rhys (one lap down)

On corrected time Ron should take 1^st place with William leapfrogging James (on a full rig handicap) to pip him for 2^nd place with Adrian 4^th and Rhys 5th.

Well done to all of them including the non-finishers Chris and Ralph and especially young Rhys, the lightest helm out today.

Thanks to Dave I and the OOD Team of Chris K, Frantz, Paul H and Richard M, who all had to brave the bitter wind without the benefit of an adrenalin rush!