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Racing got
underway with the first of two planned races on Saturday afternoon
in a very light breeze. After a number of place changes early on,
Toby Dale/ James Cole managed to establish a small lead from Shappy
Koenig/ Lars who were closely followed by Peter/ Andrew Weeks. These
positions remained unchanged to the finish despite the best efforts
of the dying breeze that allowed the pack to catch the leaders on
the last leg.
With the wind
showing signs of getting even lighter, the second race was not
started and the fleet gratefully returned to the beach and a great
barbeque hosted by the club.
Sunday was
scheduled for just one race with the championship fleet joining the
club regatta fleet for the Round Caldey Island Race. Despite many
prayers, competitors were again greeted with a very light breeze,
but at least it was still sunny!
Hartmut/ Hannes
Wesemuller had a superb start and established a huge lead that was
never challenged, giving them not only first in the FD class but
also overall on corrected time. Toby/ James recovered from a poor
start to finish second and just claimed second overall with Dawn
Barsley/ John Berry snapping at their heels, third in class and
fifth overall.
Monday dawned and
finally, some wind! With three races to be sailed and the breeze
moderating, many new names were seen in the results and it was all
still to play for.
Toby/ James won
the first race of the day. The Weeks offered a strong challenge for
the first lap, but an unfortunate swim at the leeward mark cost them
heavily and they never recovered. Peter Doran/ Richard Philips
sailed a solid race to take second followed by Victoria Parry/ Peter
Frith.
Race two saw
Shappy/ Lars back at the front after close racing with Toby/ James,
finally getting clear on the last lap with Julian/ Cathy Bridges
finishing third.
The final race saw
some of the closest racing of the weekend with numerous place
changes right up to the finishing line. Eventually it was Shappy/
Lars who emerged at the front at the right moment to take the gun.
Second went to Victoria/ Peter by half a boat length from Dawn/
John.
The prize giving
saw Toby/ James take the National Championships and the Open
National Championships.
An excellent
attendance of ladies and younger sailors saw Lars taking the Under
25’s and Julian/ Cathy fighting off hot competition from
Victoria/Peter and Dawn/ John for the Mixed Doubles Trophy.
A Buddy
Competition was run to encourage the fleet to discuss tactics and
rig tune during the regatta and this saw the team of Victoria/ Peter
and Julian/ Cathy just emerge on top.
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