Cup 5
It was that rare thing, a glorious sunny day with a gloriously sailable northerly breeze. The course could therefore feature a glorious, long, sort-the-men-from-the-boys, beat up to Far. The Lasers were out in force; Bob Sampson, Nathan Pollard and Linda Spiller had Full sails; Jane Chadney, Sue Murray and Jane Anderson had Radials. But there were a pair of Bosuns, a pair of Otters, a pair of Solos and a trio of one-offs, fifteen boats in all. First over the start line were Vicci Duncalf’s Topper and a selection of the Lasers after which the fleet spread out with the big-sailed Lasers rapidly taking on the lead. After a twenty minute lap Bob Sampson was in front and he continued to head the fleet at each lap’s end. Nathan Pollard held second place throughout and Linda Spiller was third until Jane Anderson overtook her. Robin Spiller (Streaker) won his battle with Adam Hilton (Solo) but Geoff Floyd (Solo) lost his with Nicky Buckett (Bosun, with Sally Wills as crew). At the end of lap 1 the officials couldn’t separate them but Nicky pulled away a bit later and anyway Geoff went the wrong side of Home 1 (as did Brian Pollard in the Bosun, with Cilla Gilbert).
- Bob Sampson (Laser Full)
- Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
- Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
- Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
- Nicky Buckett and Sally Wills (Bosun)
- Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
- Robin Spiller (Streaker)
- Jane Chadney (Laser Radial)
- John Buckett (Otter)
- John Dabbs (Gull)
- Adam Hilton (Solo)
- Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
- John Savage (Otter)
Disqualified: Geoff Floyd (Solo), Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun)
Sailboat 5
Robin Spiller was first over the start line but was well to leeward of the rest; he was going to find it hard making a port tack across the fleet. Nathan Pollard came next with Sue Murray close to him. Bob Sampson had a less than impressive start but that didn’t stop him getting (just) ahead of Nathan before the end of the lap. They remained neck and neck throughout the race, Nathan crossing the finish line all of eight seconds in front. Next came a pair of Radials, with Jane Anderson leading Sue Murray throughout. Linda Spiller followed them after spectacularly capsizing (a wayward gust?) on the way to Dam Green on lap 1. When the handicaps were applied the leading pair kept their places but Jane Anderson was bumped down to fifth by Nicky Buckett and Sally Wills in the Bosun and by Vicky Duncalf in the Topper. It was a glorious day’s sailing.
- Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
- Bob Sampson (Laser Full)
- Nicky Buckett and Sally Wills (Bosun)
- Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
- Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
- Adam Hilton (Solo)
- Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
- Robin Spiller (Streaker)
- Jane Chadney (Laser Radial)
- Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
- John Buckett (Otter)
- Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun)
- Geoff Floyd (Solo)
Many thanks to Paul Whybrow and Annie Quartermain who ran the races and to Mandy Pollard who took the photos.