DF65’s
A disappointingly small turnout of 8 skippers for a session that started with great A+ rig conditions but unfortunately became curtailed as the wind swung from south-east (down the lake) to south and disappeared completely after 6 races. It was a bad start to the day for Andrew, who following last weeks hull failure when the sail control turning block pulled out the hull, then had the backstay fitting pull out the hull leaving a gaping hole in the stern and nothing to connect the backstay to. A rawl plug and screw were the ultimate bodge job with bits of tape used (unsuccessfully as it would prove) to fill the gaps around the plug
The normal course was used with a beat to the windward mark, across to a spreader, back down the lake to the downwind gate and back up to the finish line. The initial plan was for everybody to do each race and the winner then record the results but somehow Dave managed to pull the clew out of his sail during the first race leaving him to volunteer for RO for the rest of the session
The racing was typical Gautby Rd … any lack of boatspeed could be overcome if you got in the right part of the lake for the next shift or puff, and there wasn’t any particular pattern in either shifts or puffs. Surprisingly, the downwind legs were reasonably consistent with little overtaking going on
Alan dominated with 4 wins, followed by John with 2 wins. Clive was very inconsistent but scrambled 3rd place from Andrew, who had to refill the lake from his boat after each race … a process that got worse as the wind dropped and the races took longer. Luckily for Andrew, the wind disappeared quickly, enabling Dave to put an end to the racing, rather than subjecting Andrew to a complete drifter which could have been terminal. Thanks to Dave for being RO in 5 races and for taking the pic’s.
- Alan Watkinson 7 pts (4 wins)
- John Carlin 8 pts (2 wins)
- Clive Warren. 16pts
- Andrew Potter. 19pts
- Charles Legg. 20pts
- David White. 30pts
- Malcolm Harvey. 35pts
DF95’s
The light breeze from the morning disappeared for the afternoon DF95 session and became an even lighter breeze but with a lot more shifts and holes to fall into, and to add to the difficulty it couldn’t decide which end of the lake to blow from. The same windward / leeward course as the morning was set and the 6 skippers were ready on time to get underway at 13:30. With only 6 boats it was the usual self monitoring start and first to finish recorded the results.
It was a stellar afternoon for Ian Davies who dominated proceedings and he started as he meant to carry on leading from the start to finish in race 1, Martin chased him hard but couldn’t manage to pass. Meanwhile Clive over took Alan and John on the final beat to the finish.
Race 2 – Ian carried on his winning streak, but this time it was Johns turn to push him all the way to the finish line, Martin following up his 2nd in the first race with a 3rd in this.
Race 3 – it was Ian’s only blip of the afternoon, Clive taking the win with Alan 2nd just holding off Ian who took the last podium spot
Race 4 – and normal service was resumed with Ian, once again at the front of the fleet and Alan following him into 2nd place for the second race running, Clive taking the 3rd place.
Race 5 – Ian’s winning streak continued and it was Johns turn to miss out to Ian, but had to have one eye on Clive who was close behind in 3rd.
Race 6 – unfortunately Alan wasn’t feeling too well (either that or was fed up of Ians boat speed) either way he called it a day leaving Clive to chase Ian home with Martin 3rd
Race 6 and 7 – It was Malcolms turn to have to leave for a previously arranged appointment leaving only 4. Both races were similar with the same results, Ian taking the win followed by Clive and Martin filling the podium positions
From the results it seems that Ian was having it all his own way but the reality was somewhat different. On many occasions he was mid fleet but somehow was always in the right place at the right time to catch the wind shift, or odd gust as he rounded the windward mark, skill or luck, I know not but the result was a very satisfying afternoon for Ian
Results after 8 races (2 discards)
- Ian Davies – 7 wins 6pts
- Clive Warren – 1 win 13pts
- Martin Whitingham Jones 18pts
- John Beech 21pts
- Alan Watkinson 26pts
- Malcolm Harvey 32pts
