Author: Peter Baldwin

Eight DF95 Sailors arrived for an afternoon’s racing, but the Weather God’s had other ideas.  We got started on time in a light SE breeze, although lighter in strength than the forecast.  However, during the second race, a complete 180 degree wind-shift occurred accompanied by a drop in temperature, causing confusion to those in the lead thing they had finished before rounding the leeward gate (which was now a windward gate!).  Unfortunately it also created lots of wind-blown lake debris moving down the lake, causing trouble for many over the  next three races, in addition to fins and rudders being coated by the ever increasing algae bloom after a lack of rain.

We did manage to complete 5 races before a break and then the anticipated rain storm arrived and a deluge commenced accompanied by thunder and lightning.  After sheltering in the clubhouse for an hour watching the rain continue to pound the ground (and start to top up the lake!), everyone agreed to pack up and got extremely wet just packing their cars.  Hopefully everyone got home safely as there were widespread large puddles and flooding on some roads, which didn’t help.

John Brierley took the afternoon with 3 race wins to one apiece for Neil and Peter.  The next afternoon of racing for the DF95’s takes place on the 12th August.

1. John Brierley                84   7pts
2. Neil Westbrook           03   9pts
3. Peter Baldwin             172  11pts
4. Andrew Peter              179  14pts
5. Alan Watkinson           23  15pts
6. John Beech                   288  22pts 1x2nd
7. Clive Warren                 93   22pts
8. Frans King                     59  24pts

The wind was a gusty 10 knots and so A rigs were the choice today and even then some nose diving and loss of control could happen to the unlucky few.  A windward leeward course over a good part and starting at the Clubhouse end of the lake was setup, with a gate to give more options to the 10 sailors out today.

There were 5 different winners of the races, although John Brierley took the lions share of 5, with Andrew Potter on 2, followed by Heil Westbrook, Dave Williams and Peter on one each.

John Brierley easily took the winners spot, with Neil just pipping Peter by one point for second and third places.  Racing is getting closer each week with one race seeing the whole fleet fighting for their place between the first mark and spreader which were only 6 metres apart.

Thanks go to Alan for dropping out after the first race and being RO for the remainder of the day.  More fun and close racing next Wednesday at 11.

1. John Brierley             84   11pts
2. Neil Westbrook        03    23pts
3. Peter Baldwin            63   24pts
4. Andrew Potter         194  30pts
5. Andrew Peter           919  35.3pts
6. Dave Williams            33  43pts  1x1st
7. Mike De St Paer         35  43 pts
8. Frans King                   95  49pts
9. John Beech                   80  65pts
10. Paul Little                     45  66pts

In an ideal world the wind blows consistently along the pond and the race officer can set a course with an unbiased start line, a satisfying beat to a windward mark, a reach down to a separator at which boats turn onto a downwind leg and sail happy to the leeward gate or mark. Today was not such a day. As we gathered at the pondside we scratched our heads trying to work out the wind direction, while the wind shifted around us, turning beats into runs and back again.

In the face of this wayward wind, it was decided to set a course starting at the clubhouse end, sailing to the far end and rounding the two furthest buoys to port before turning back to a mark at the clubhouse end and finishing halfway up the pond. After a few races the race officer, Dave Williams (who generously acted as RO throughout the racing) added a separator at the clubhouse end. Despite the fluky winds several boats managed consistent performance with Mike de St. Paer taking the honours, followed by Alan Watkinson. The full results after 8 races were:

1. Mike de St. Paer                          10
2. Alan Watkinson                           15
3. Clive Warren                                 17
4. Jon Whitehead                             21
5. Andrew Peter                               30
6. Neil Westbrook                            31
7. John Carlin                                    32
8. John Beech                                     47
9. Paul Little                                       48
10. Charles Legg                                  53
11. Martin Whitingham-Jones     54
12. Frans King                                      55
13. Dave Warren                                  66
14. Richard Walker                             83*

* Retired early owing to technical problems

Eleven sailors arrived on a glorious sunny day accompanied by a pleasant breeze. A+ the rig of the day. Mike put his boat on the water and quickly realised he had no control at times so took the boat out and volunteered to be RO. Martin having changed his winch from last week still had problems so he was also out for the morning and then there were nine.

After John C donned the waders and moved the start line racing commenced. Andrew started well and gained three wins in the first four races but then could not find a better position than third.

John C was having electrical problems so had to drop out of two races but the repair was satisfactory meaning he could move up to be with the leaders Alan and Neil, who finished with a point between them. Ten races were held with the usual two laps for the final race. Thanks again to Mike for being our RO and to John for moving the marks.

1. Alan Watkinson       16pts 4 wins
2. Neil Westbrook        17pts  1 win
3. Andrew Potter          20pts 3 wins
4. John Carlin                21pts  2 wins
5. Clive Warren             29pts
6. Charles Legg             49pts
7. Dave Williams          51pts
8. Frans King                 58pts
9. Malcolm Harvey     60pts