Following on from the mornings DF95 sailing we had seven skippers take to the water with DF65’s. Unfortunately, with a number of RG65 cancellations and a missed message meant that Alan did some testing with new foils on his RG65 before calling it a day. The weather was similar to the morning and the decision was taken to use A rigs. The same standard course was set utilising the full length of the lake and initially 2 laps were set. Our thanks go out to new member Stuart Trunkfield who after sailing in the morning DF95 session volunteered to be RO for the afternoon and got us underway on time at 12.00
It was soon very apparent that the SE wind was going to provide an interesting afternoons racing. There were plenty of false shifts to leave the unknowing skipper looking red faced and 20 yds further down the fleet after attempting to tack only to be headed. Added to this there was no rhyme or reason where or when the proper shifts would occur. The windward mark would also pose its own problems being in the lee of the clubhouse. So all in all a testing afternoon for the skippers.
Unfortunately Andy was late arriving and missed the first 5 races. From the start, the racing was split into 2 groups with Peter, Paul and Clive doing battle at the front of the fleet and Guy, Phyl, and Dave a bit further back. It was soon apparent that with 2 laps the field was getting very spread out, so it was decided to reduce to 1 lap. Up front, at the halfway stage it was all to play for with Peter on 2 wins, Paul on 2 wins and Clive on 1 win, with Paul edging the lead thanks to 3 seconds to Clive and Peters 1 each. In the second group, Guy was Mr Consistent notching up 5 fourth places with Dave just edging it from Phyl.
The forecast showers started to set in at this stage and with the wind dropping an early coffee break was called to let it pass. Before the second session started, there was a short debate whether or not to change up to Top set but decided to stick to A in the hope that the wind would return and stay. The racing followed a very similar pattern to earlier. Paul took race 6 and Clive race 7 before Peter turned on the style and posted 3 bullets on the run. Guy had found a second gear which moved him up from the front of the back group to the back of the front group, and managed to break into the top 3 in race 7 at Peters expense. Meanwhile, Andy took over Guys position at the front of the back group, posting five fifth places on the spin, leaving Dave and Phyl to dual it out at the back.
Results
Peters 3 bullets at the end of the afternoon proved the deciding factor in taking line honours from Paul by a single point. Guy maintained his consistency with 9 fourth places, and in the second group Phyl just beat Dave again by a single point. Thanks to Stuart Trunkfield for being RO and taking the photos.
