A drizzly day with a wind that came and went and at lunchtime swung round 180 degree is what faced the seven skippers on their arrival. Numbers were slightly down on the norm with people at the IOM worlds and holidays.
At the start of the day the wind (what there was) was from the east, meaning from the clubhouse end and slightly from the industrial park side, no option for Rigs it had to be top suit. A standard course was set utilising the full length of the lake, but due to the uncertainty of the wind or lack of, the number of laps varied between 1 and 2 depending on the wind at the start of each race.
The 1st race saw Neil use all his local knowledge to take the win from Clive and Alan.
Race 2 saw John Brierley get into his stride and take a narrow win from Clive and John Beech who showed good boat speed.
Race 3 and we lost Neil with electrical problems, John Brierley took a runaway win catching the wind on the run to the gate whilst the rest sat still. (it was that sort of day)
As the wind came and went John B and Clive were consistently at the front end of the fleet with John generally having the edge at the finish.
Race 4, saw Clive lead around the final gate only for John B to pick a wind shift and take another bullet. Alan posting his second 3rd place on the bounce
Race 5 and 6 John was out front again ,but this time in race 5 it was Dave who was chasing finishing in second with Clive third and in race 6 it was Clive second with Alan third.
Lunch/ coffee was then taken, and to everyone’s surprise when we returned the wind had swung round 180deg, so the start line was moved to the clubhouse end. Again a standard course was set using the full length of the lake.
Races 7,8 and 9, followed the familiar pattern of John B first, Clive second and third podium spot being filled by Dave, John Beech, and Alan (1 each)
Races 10 and 11, At last Clive got his reward leading from the start to take 2 bullets from John B, with Alan and John Beech picking up a third each
Race 12, and it looked like Clive would make it a hat trick of wins leading for a lap and a half only to be becalmed at the weather mark and John B and Dave turn a 30m deficit and into a 10m advantage which was held to the finish.
Thanks to Dave Williams for photos and result formatting
