Today was definitely a champagne sailing day, with the Force 3-4 holding more steady from the south east at 12 knots, and race officers for Series A & B settled on 150° course, serving up perfect racing conditions. On Series A all fleets were despatched with only one individual recall in the RS 200 fleet. The only incident was the race officer momentarily getting tied up and wrestling a halyard.
Enough
pressure was maintained to keep the fleets powered up, while the safety boats
lounged in standby mode, their crews enjoying the rare luxury of watching
racing without drama. The only real hazard was the warning of a sea mist
drifting into the harbour.
In the Fast
Handicap Robert Gullan and Rob Ashman in their 505 took honours on corrected
time again, whilst Simon and Jack Townsend ESC clocked a second in their
Osprey. In the Slow Asymmetric Jack Holden, CYC, in his Devoti One proved the
winner on corrected time. In the RS 200s Aiden and Ella Mitchell took the gun
against a very competitive fleet.
On Series B
the race team combatted a wayward windward mark which struggled to hold
station, but was finally re-laid to ensure a proper length course. Graham and
Felix Camm (Burghfield) in the National 12 established a strong lead to clock
their second first place, ahead of Lee Goodey (Broadstairs) in the Streaker. In
the Aero 5s Kate Childs (HISC) crossed the line first and in the Solos Tim
Goodey RNSA . Both fleets will have several challengers for the top spot.
Thomas Knight CYC scored a second first in in the ILKA 4s whilst Martyn Jones (HISC) performed similarly in
the ILKA 6 fleet.
On Series C, with the wind holding, the windward mark was
pushed out to extend the beat with another great start by the RS Teras. At the
first mark Cam Wilson (HISC) led, then extended his lead all the way to the
finish. The chasing boats in 2nd to 5th, closely bunched had a competitive sail
throughout the race. In their second race Cam again repeated his dominance. In
the small Optimist Fleet Jack Wood added two more firsts to his tally.
Tomorrow brings the Elites out to play and possibly a
different weather pattern.
Robert Macdonald
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