DF65
On the water, the usual windward/leeward course was used with a spreader at the windward mark and a gate at the leeward mark. 12 races were completed in surprisingly un-Gautby Rd like conditions with a pretty consistent wind in both direction and strength
The racing at the front was dominated by Paul P, Andrew and Clive with a few short-lived cameos by others. Don got a second in race 3 and then won race 4 and then drifted back to mid fleet, although these results were good enough to get him 4th overall on countback. Richard, Dave, Paul L and Sally all had fleeting appearances near the front in various races but apart from a couple of thirds by Paul L, nobody was able to stay in the podium positions by the finish of any race. Paul P won overall, helped by some aggressive starting tactics by Clive on Andrew in race 10 which luckily didn’t deny Andrew second place overall with Clive in third.
- Paul Plested 16pts (5 wins)
- Andrew Potter 18pts (4 wins)
- Clive Warren 20pts (2 wins)
- Don McKinnon 46pts (1 win)
- Richard Walker 46pts
- Sally Collings 47pts
- Paul Little 49pts
- Dave Williams 54pts
- Frans King 58pts
- John Beech 68pts
- John Lee 77pts
- David White 78pts
John Carlin … retired with his boat to see a Relate councillor
DF95
7 Skippers got ready for the afternoon sailing, the weather was supposed to deteriorate with rain in the forecast from 2pm, fortunately this didn’t materialise and a reasonably steady mainly easterly breeze made for a good afternoons sailing. It wasn’t without its Gautby road shifts and twists especially around the windward mark area.
A rig was the preferred choice for all 7 skippers, with self monitored starts, and first over the finishing line recording the results. With the rain forecast it was decided to get as many races in as possible so single lap races were agreed and 9 Races were sailed in total.
The first race set the tone for the afternoon when all the boats were rounding the gate marks, one of the skippers noticed a lone 95 at the windward end of the lake, wallowing, when the question “who’s boat is that at the other end of the lake” was asked; to which Frans replied “must be mine, I thought I was doing rather well”, having sailed the wrong boat for the whole of the downwind without realising!!! In the meantime at the front Paul was showing good boat speed to take the honours, Clive was second with Richard 3rd.
The same 3 filled the podium spots until in race 5 Frans had a 15m lead coming through the gate only to get the wrong side of a couple of shifts and then stuck in irons for 30 secs as he watched the whole fleet sail pass, you just know when its not your day. The race finally being won by Martin.
The top 2 positions on the remaining races were shared between Paul and Clive with John Beech picking up a second and third.
In summary – A good afternoon enjoyment, (even Frans enjoyed it) conditions were challenging at times with wind shifts all over the lake providing with close racing at the front of the pack and also at the back
- Paul Plested 154 9pts 5 wins
- Clive Warren 93 11pts 3 wins
- Martin Wittingham-Jones 77 28pts 1 win
- John Beech 288 28pts 1 second
- Richard Walker 52 28pts
- Frans King 59 32pts
- Paul Little 14 38pts
