DF65
A bright day greeted the 10 sailors who turned up, but with wind sadly lacking for the first couple of races. David Williams opted to run the racing today and after setting an additional start mark racing got underway shortly after 11 with a short course used for the first two races to minimise the race duration.
James Douglas showed his light wind potential by winning Race 1, followed by Clive Warren who took Race 2. The RO then extended the course to use the length of the lake as we now had breeze straight down the lake for most of the time, although there were a number of holes and localised gusts that could catch anyone out. Peter Baldwin took Race 3 and then Alan Watkinson achieved the win in Race 4. Although we had seen four different winners, it could be anyone’s race and Mike De St Paer, Paul Plested, Sally Collings and John Carlin were all in the mix with top 3 places.
In races 5 to 7, James seemed to have the engine on as he scored three straight wins, leaving the others in his wake, with his run finally spoilt by Peter taking the win in Race 8.
Helped by the four wins, James took the morning, with Peters two wins aiding his second place overall and a consistent set of results placed John Carlin third.
- James Douglas 73 13pts (4 wins)
- Peter Baldwin 63 15pts (2 wins)
- John Carlin 11 18pts
- Paul Plested 154 21pts
- Clive Warren 53 22pts (1 win)
- Sally Collings 829 27pts
- Alan Watkinson 373 34pts (1 win)
- Mike De St Paer 35 38pts
- Frans King 95 45 pts
- Malcolm Harvey 1019 53pts
DF95
5 skippers were on the start line for the DF95 afternoon sailing, the conditions were very similar to the morning but with a bit more breeze. This still made sailing tricky with directional shifts which could be a gamechanger, in either direction, read it right and you could be at the front, get it wrong and you would be left head to wind, stranded!!
With only 5 skippers, the normal self monitored start and the finish was recorded by the first over the line. 6 races were completed, with a standard course set, utilising the full length of the lake we were ready to go.
Race 1 – was saw close racing with all 5 boats all the way around the course, with Paul finally taking line honours
Race 2 – and Clive tried to get a cheeky port start which failed miserably and then got headed on a shift dumping him out of the back of the fleet. The other 4 had a good tussle until Peter and Paul pulled away Finally Alan got a wind shift as he rounded the last mark which left him in irons which saw first Malcolm pass him on the outside and then Clive on the inside. Peter taking the top spot with Paul a close second
Race 3 – saw another good battle with Peter taking his second win of the series, with Clive second
Race 4 – was a battle between Alan, Clive and Paul with Clive crossing the line first, Peter showing how tricky the wind was finishing a safe 4th. Unfortunately Paul had to retire after this race with toothache
Race 5 and 6 and normality returned with Peter taking the wins with Alan and Clive picking up a second place each. The sun had by now dipped behind the houses and as the temperature dropped drastically it was agreed to call a end to an enjoyable afternoon.
In summary , good afternoons sailing, close racing, good light breeze with difficult shifts to read keeping the skippers on their toes.
1. – Peter Baldwin 6pts, 4 wins
2. – Clive Warren 13pts, 1 win
3. – Alan Watkinson 14pts
4. – Paul Plested 15pts, 1 win
5. – Malcolm Harvey 19pts
