Cup 6
Powerful winds, even stronger gusts and driving rain had all become distant memories from the spring; they were forecast to return this day and come back they did. Half the sailors in the club stayed at home! However Brian and James Pollard put small sails on their Bosun and ventured out. Adam Hilton and his crew Alan Comber even risked full size sails on theirs. Nathan Pollard was reduced to a mere 4.7 square metres of sail on his Laser, while Jane Anderson down-sized to a Topper which is Vicki Duncalf’s regular mount.
They started towards the Dam with the Bosuns crossing the line first, but Nathan Pollard was the first to round Dam Green. Brian Pollard followed only to be rammed from behind by the other Bosun as he set his sails for the close reach up the Lake. The resultant penalty turns put the offending boat last, behind the Toppers of Jane Anderson and Vicki Duncalf. Nathan Pollard continued to lead throughout the race but it was hardly plain sailing. At one point a gust took him so far off course he had to do what looked like penalty turns! It was a short course – including neither West nor Inlet to avoid the fishermen who packed the banks – and laps were taking a mere ten minutes. At the top of the Lake on lap 1 the Toppers were ahead of the Bosuns but Brian Pollard got past Vicki Duncalf on the way to Middle only to be repassed by her on lap 2. A capsize finally relegated Vicki to the back of the fleet. By the third lap the big-sailed Bosun had caught up with the small-sailed one and on the long port tack up to Pinkie took the lead. At that point Jane Anderson was returning down the lake on starboard, her path crossing the trajectory of the two Bosuns, neither of which was able to take avoiding action. This led to the retirement of the Bosuns under threat of disqualification. Nathan Pollard crossed the finish line as Jane Anderson rounded the buoy at the top of the course; nonetheless the handicap gave her the victory, but only by three seconds!
- Jane Anderson (Topper)
- Nathan Pollard (Laser 4.7)
- Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
Retired: Brian and James Pollard (Bosun), Adam Hilton and Alan Comber (Bosun)
Ladies/Gents/Junior/Gosling Cups 5.
The winds were even stronger for the afternoon race. The Hilton/Comber Bosun scratched, reducing the fleet to four. The Toppers were both reefed but were still hard to control. Shortly after the start Jane Anderson capsized hers but was on her way with admirable speed. Vicki Duncalf retired her Topper. Nathan Pollard, who had capsized twice before the race had even started, led throughout, despite yet another capsize. James Pollard was now helming the remaining Bosun in second place, each lap taking the gybe at Dam Green in fine style. At the end Nathan Pollard was three minutes ahead of the Bosun and five ahead of the Topper; the handicaps allowed him the victory.
- Nathan Pollard (Laser 4.7)
- Jane Anderson (Topper)
- James and Brian Pollard (Bosun)
Retired: Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
The races were run by Mike and Viki Herbert-Coulson. To them and to Mandy Pollard who took the photos, many thanks.