by Adam Hilton
Bosuns PLUS 4
Four Bosun skippers and five from the mixed fleet signed on for the noon race but the weather gods turned evil, releasing heavy clouds, thunder and down pouring rain. The Tamar Lake safety team lofted the red flag and the race was postponed for an hour by which time one Bosun had lost its visiting crew and did not start. John Dabbs, sailing his Bosun with Linda Spiller as crew, crossed the start line prematurely and had to go back and begin again. However this time the weather gods, capricious as ever, loved him, sending a sustained gust which wafted the Bosun to the back of the fleet before they had rounded the first buoy. These winds were not easy to cope with; Robin Spiller retired his Streaker as a result.
Nathan Pollard’s full-sailed Laser established a lead but Roger Heasman, in his Bosun with Dave Longfellow, held an admirable second place, eventually to be displaced by the Laser 4.7s of Bob Sampson and Sue Murray. These two changed places on lap 2 and Sue Murray, finishing the race three minutes after Nathan Pollard’s faster boat, was given the handicap race victory.
In the Bosun race everything was gradually reversed. On lap 2 John Dabbs overtook Roger Heasman and on the following lap so did Brian Pollard (Rick Thurlow was his crew).
Bosuns
- John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
- Brian Pollard and Rick Thurlow (Bosun)
- Roger Heasman and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
PLUS
- Sue Murray (Laser 4.7)
- Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
- Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
- Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
Retired; Robin Spiller (Streaker)
Pursuit 4
Sadly the correct personal handicaps were not picked up automatically so the start times were incorrect. So the decision has been to void the race. Pursuit 4 will be held on 16th July and is the last in the series.
Grateful thanks were given to Jane Anderson who, as Officer of the Day, ran the races.