1st September 2019 Race Report

Cup 7

In contrast to last week, a force 4-5 wind whipped white horses down the length of the lake, causing each of the Bosun fleet to elect to sail with 3 on board.  Unfortunately Brian Pollard’s mainsheet became entangled around the pontoon mooring cleat, causing a catastrophic and complete capsize before he had even set off.  Fortunately the only damage was a triple unwanted swim.

Meanwhile, Steve Axford’s Laser Radial crossed the start line, followed by James Pollard’s speedy Blaze which soon overtook.  Vicki Duncalf was next, first of the Toppers until a gear failure caused her retirement in the second casualty of the race.

As the laps progressed the Buckett/ Spiller Bosun overtook Jane Anderson’s Topper while the second Dabbs/ Wills /Witchell Bosun lost a battle with Robin Spiller’s Streaker.  In the handicap shuffle a well sailed Topper was the winner.

  1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
  2. Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
  3. Nicky Buckett, John Buckett and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
  4. James Pollard (Blaze)
  5. Robin Spiller (Streaker Wave)
  6. John Dabbs, Sally Wills and Louise Witchell (Bosun)

Retired: Vicki Duncalf (Topper)

 

Pursuit 7

As the gusts continued unabated, the slower boats started earlier and the faster set off at intervals to chase, over the race’s allocated 67 minutes.  Vicki Duncalf made up for earlier disappointment, staying ahead of Jane Anderson as the two Toppers led the field, until finally both were overtaken by the Pollard brothers, James having made his way determinedly through the fleet from the rear.

Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert had dried off and the three Bosuns had start times one after another, giving an interesting contest, especially as one crew was one person heavier.  Their order completely reversed, Brian emerged the victor.

The two Laser Radial helms worked hard, but made limited progress, while Robin Spiller was powerless to prevent faster boats overtaking him.

  1. Nathan Pollard (Laser 4.7)
  2. James Pollard (Blaze)
  3. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
  4. Jane Anderson (Topper)
  5. Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun)
  6. Nicky Buckett, John Buckett and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
  7. Bob Sampson (Laser Radial)
  8. Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
  9. John Dabbs and Sally Wills (Bosun)
  10. Robin Spiller (Streaker Wave)

Grateful thanks were given to John Duncalf and Paul Anderson who ran the races and to Mandy Pollard for the photographs.