Nine skippers were on the start line for the opening race of the 2024 winter season. A lightish breeze, under an overcast sky meant A rigs were the choice for the day. The wind was from the SSW which is always a tricky direction bringing the houses into play and providing plenty of shifts and holes to keep the skippers on their toes. Dave Williams donned the waders and tweaked the start. A standard course set utilising the full length of the lake, with a windward mark set at the clubhouse end, spreader mark, a leeward gate and back to the finish line which was set halfway down the lake for the first 3 races, and was subsequently moved to the clubhouse end of the lake to provide a slightly longer course and provide more overtaking opportunities. Racing got underway on time at 12,00.
John Brierley, started the day as he meant to go on taking the top spot but was pushed all the way by John Carlin and Clive Warren, until Clive hit the gate mark pushing him back after doing turns. Further down the fleet Dave Williams was struggling with a rudder imbalance and had to retire, and would miss the next race. Races 2 and 3 saw Clive making up for his first race error taking line honours with John B and John C picking up a second place each, and Ian Davies also in the mix collecting a third place. The start of Race 4 saw Martin Whittingham-Jones hooked on the start buoy, where he sat until David donned the waders to recover the boat after the race ended. David himself had further rudder problems and had to retire from the race. Meanwhile up at the front and it was Ian’s turn to cross the line first ahead of the very consistent Clive and equally consistent John B.
The wind was starting to drop so an early lunch break was taken. Even withe the break unfortunately the wind remained lighter than earlier.
Race 5 was another close encounter with John B crossing the line first, Clive second and Alan Watkinson third after tweaking his rig set-up during the break. Races 6 and 7 and Alan’s tweaking paid off, taking line honours with John B second and Clive third. Further down the fleet Daves rudder nightmare continued and he finally had to call it a day after race 6 when his servo packed in, also joining him on the casualty list was Martin W-J. when his battery failed him. Race 8 and the final race of the day and the overall standings were very interesting with Alan, Clive, and John B all on 2 wins each. John B finally crossing the line with John C second and Ian third.
Summary A very close and competitive days racing in the all to normal Gautby Road shifty wind conditions. With plenty of personal battles all through the fleet.
Thanks to Dave Williams for sorting everything and Malcolm Harvey for compiling the results below.
