DF65’s
A slightly depleted field of six skippers arrived to sail at Gautby road to very little wind and some significant flat patches on the water. The wind direction was approximately south or even south with a bit of east, which was strange as at the coast it was a solid 20mph south south west.
Racing started using the usual course which was a reasonable fit without adjustment. As so often the line looked rather pin biased, but the very shifty conditions meant this turned out not to be too important. The racing was self monitored with the first over the line doing the scoring.
The first four races took about 40 minutes and a short adjournment was proposed by Dave as the wind showed signs of a major shift. This turned to be a good call as by 12,15 the wind had filled in from approximately North West, although was still very irregular and shifty, and the start was moved down to the club end.
Three more races were completed by 12.45 giving one discard. The conditions remained extremely tricky but just as the 65s were finishing showed signs of filling in a bit.
There was very close racing, despite the conditions, with apparently hopeless positions being recovered and vice-versa. Clive and Mike won three each to finish one point apart, with Phyl Fanning winning Race 5 by a hefty margin with detail results shown below.
Thanks to Dave for doing the results sheet and keeping us all organised.
- 35 Mike de St Paer 9pts 3 wins
- 53 Clive Warren 10pts 3 wins
- 33 Dave Williams 17pts
- 1019 Malcolm Harvey 20pts
- 550 Phyl Fanning 24pts 1 win
- 39 Richard Walker 34pts
DF95’s
Three skippers stayed on from the mornings sailing to take part in the DFG95 who were joined by 3 more.
The wind was similar to the morning, predominantly from the SSW meaning from the housing estate which provides very shifty conditions as the wind filters through. For the majority of the time the wind was stronger than the morning and by the end of the session there was a case for changing rigs to a B. The shifts although very frustrating made the racing very interesting with, on many occasions places gained and lost right up to the finish line.
A similar windward/ leeward course was set, starting as the morning session finished with the start at the clubhouse end of the lake. With only six skippers the starts were self monitored and first to finish recorded the finishers. It was decided to go for quantity rather than quality so 1lap races were set with the final race 2 laps.
From the start Alan and Clive dominated the racing taking 10 first places between them. Behind them there was a battle royal for the minor places, Phyll started well clocking up 2 third places, whilst Guy started poorly finishing last in the first 2 races. John was more consistent and Malcolm was feeling the effects from the mornings exertions until finally stopping after 8 races. Race 3 and Guy had sorted whatever problems he had and took the second place behind Clive and followed this up with a third in race 4. It was Johns turn to shine in race 5, after leading for most of the way managed to convert it to the win from Alan, whilst Guy and Phyll couldn’t be separated on the line taking equal 4th place. As the wind strengthened John and Guy seemed to get into their stride and this culminated with Guy taking the race win in race 11, which was well deserved. After 12 races it was time to say farewell to another typical Gautby Rd day, full of frustration at what might have been, for some but enjoyed by most.
Results (12 races , 2 discards)
- Clive Warren 14pts 6 wins
- Alan Watkinson 16pts 4 wins
- Guy Cowper 31pts 1 win
- John Beech 33pts 1 win
- Phyl Fanning 42pts
- Malcolm Harvey 59pts
