DF65’s

The forecast suggested that the fleet could be moving down the rigs as the day wore on, but for the 65s in the morning A+ was manageable…just! Whilst the general wind direction was from over the clubhouse, the shifts and gusts were significant, with big gains/losses bringing smiles/tears depending up on how well you coped with them.

The racing throughout the fleet was close, with several four boat close finishes, and with others just pipping competitors on the line. Paul Plested made it a challenge for anyone else to take top spot on the day by winning the first four races. However, John Carlin, after a slow start, found his form posting two 1sts and several podium positions to finish a clear 2^nd overall on the day.

Clive Warren was, at one point, closer to the top two than the final result suggests, but gear failure meant he missed three races and also had to count a retired. Andrew also had boat issues, but managed to get back afloat, only missing one race. Charles Legg opted to sit the racing out after the first two races.

James Douglas was joined on the day by his son, Cam, who took turns racing 73, with James hopping over to Dave William’s boat on at least one occasion. Richard Walker, Stuart Mearns and Stuart Trunkfield (first time with his DF65) all featured at or near the front of the fleet in several races, but struggled to hang on through to the finish, apart from Stuart M who did bag a 2^nd in race seven. With only five points separating them, Richard came out on top in this mid fleet tussle.

David White and Malcolm Harvey battled on in the challenging conditions, with David edging out Malcolm on the day.

DF95’s

Seven boats took to the water for the afternoons 95 racing. The conditions were similar to the morning with strong gusts swirling across the lake from / through the houses causing wind shifts across the full course. The starboard tack was favourite but wouldn’t take you the full length of the lake to the windward mark so the main decision for the skippers was when to tack across and which wind shift could be trusted, pick the wrong one and places were lost.

After 3 races it was clear that the boats were split into 2 groups with Paul picking up 3 bullets and Clive 3 seconds showing the way to the rest of the fleet who were very equally matched, with Stuart T, Charles and Steve all sharing a podium spot each. It was then suggested by Robbie Mac (who popped along to see what was happening) that Clive and Paul take a handicap, and start between the leeward spreader mark buoys, about 20m behind the main start line and located slightly further towards the far bank, a good suggestion that worked really well. Rob also stayed to RO the next 3 races, thank you.

This didn’t deter Paul who was reading the conditions best all day and continued his winning streak, with some very close finishes but finishing with 7 wins in the 8 races sailed, with Clive taking the other win in the last race. Meanwhile the handicapping was working well with Stuart M picking up 3 second places, with Stuart T and Clive picking up the remaining 2. Charles picked up 2 more thirds, along with Paul and Steve. Malcolm kept plugging away and managed a fourth and was closer in many races than the results show.

After 8 races the rain came and brought some really strong squalls across the lake and it was decided to call it a day rather than take a rig change and put the wets on.

A good afternoon and the handicapping worked well to produce much closer racing. Well done to Paul for a stellar morning and afternoon, and to the 3^rd to 6^th skippers who were covered by 4 points, great racing.

DF65’s

We arrived today expecting no wind, but in fact there was a gentle NW ish breeze blowing with just enough Northerly in it to miss the clubside housing. Another excellent turnout of 11 skippers started, including ex-Commodore John B, for what turned out to be a really interesting mornings racing very kindly run by Neil who got the racing away promptly.

The start looked to favour a port tack start but the line could be laid on Starboard. James made a couple of port tack flier starts work, but the size of the fleet and the shifts meant most preferred to approach on starboard. Line discipline was surprisingly good, with only one general, so Neil didn’t have to use the threatened black flag.

Initially it appeared to pay to continue on starboard before tacking, but again that changed during the morning, and then at the top of the beat there was a big port tack lift – but not every time – and also an intermittent very flat patch at the far side before the starboard layline tack to the top mark which caught a few out.

The gate was also interesting with successful last beats made from both sides, and a surprising amount of place swapping on this last leg.

John B showed his experience and class by winning 4 of the 9 races sailed to win by two points from James who took a couple of races to get going but thereafter sailed very consistently to a close second place.

Alan was the best of the rest, beating Mike on countback for third and closely followed by John in fifth. Very nice to welcome Martin James back and a well done to Stuart Mearns who is sailing quicker every time and finished the day in sixth.

Very close racing on the water with the usual thanks to Dave for organising us and taking the pictures, and today to Neil for ROing on a really chilly day.

DF95’s

Five keen skippers made it to the start line for a very enjoyable afternoon