DF65’s
10 sailors for what was forecast to be a showery morning but ended up totally dry. The wind was nominally from the SE so straight down the lake from the clubhouse end and perfect for A+ rigs. The standard course was used with a windward mark to port, followed by a spreader, down the run to a gate and up to the finish.
Despite what initially appeared to be a reasonably steady and consistent breeze, proved to be anything but, once racing got underway ….. so typical Gautby Rd conditions. Puffs from a more easterly direction lifted those on port tack who had headed to the far bank while those that hit the near bank enjoyed better wind, but a worse direction. With no side proving consistently best it was a coin toss each race as to which way to go.
As the morning progressed, lulls in the wind added to the unpredictability
John had the boat speed to get himself out of trouble most of the time and won with 5 race wins, just narrowly beating Paul with 4 wins. Alan was the only other race winner, as the rest of us played snakes and ladders with the conditions
- John Carlin 10 pts 5 wins
- Paul Plested 11pts 4 wins
- Alan Watkinson 17pts 1 win
- Clive Warren 27pts
- Andrew Potter 30pts
- Richard Walker 38pts
- Sally Collings 39pts 1 second
- Frans King 39pts
- Dave Williams 41pts
- Dave Howard 47pts
DF95’s
Another glorious afternoon welcomed the 6 skippers for some social racing. A big welcome to Darren who is a new member and new to sailing and RC sailing, although he has practiced a bit.
The same course as the morning was used and 2 laps were generally set with a couple of exceptions. As is the norm with only a few skippers, self regulation of the starts and first across the finish line records the result. 7 races were sailed.
Darren actually sails a 65 with an A rig but, as this was social sailing, and we’re a social bunch we set a shortened course for him so he could mix it with the big boats and get some valuable experience. So instead of going the full length of the lake from the start he used the outer finishing buoy as his windward mark, before running back down the lake to the gate. This worked well and proved a good handicap
Racing got underway and saw Alan off to a flyer taking the first 2 races, pushed all the way by Clive and Paul. Race 3 and Dave suffered rigging failure before the start and retired from further sailing. The race saw Paul getting into his stride and took the win, Clive second and Darren third. Race 4 and Paul continued his winning ways chased hard by Alan and Frans. Unfortunately Alan had time constraints and had to leave, Paul continued his winning way with his 3rd win in as many races with the ever improving Darren second. The last 2 races were very similar to each other, with the reduced field trying to chase down Darren in the 65, but failing to catch him before the line, another 5 meters and Clive would have had him in race 6 and Paul in race 7. It gave another dimension having the 65 there and I’m sure Darren learnt a lot from the experience.
Results
- Paul Plested 10pts 3 wins
- Darren 15pts 2 wins
- Clive Warren 15pts
- Alan Watkinson 22pts 2wins
- Frans King 25pts
- Dave Howard Rtd.
