Fine settled weather bought a weekend of sunshine, spring warmth and very little wind. Conditions which would test both the two race officers and all 22 competitors.
See the full article for the race report. The race results can be found here.
Saturdays racing started in a light and fickle breeze. A short delay of around 25 minutes allowed Race Officer Karl Pountney sufficient time to put in a simple triangle course with a fairly accurate beat. A good start and first lap saw Andy Gregory (Phantom) and Steve & Ruth Ivory (RS200) lead the fleet around the course. Over three laps they build a considerable lead over the remainder of the fleet but in the end, Andy pipped the RS200 to first place by 16 seconds.
The streakers had threatened all through race one. However, it would be race 2 where they would triumph. This time out the wind played havoc with the course setting with 3 minutes to go the fleet were running towards the startling, but with just seconds to go the wind filled in from the brickyard bank and the race was afoot. The fleet largely stuck together, light puffs from all directions made reading the conditions difficult. As the fleet reached down to the leeward mark on the final lap, a last minute shift allowed the 8 boats that had rounded the mark the chance to run to the line but leave Simon Whitham & Barney Proud (Tasar) and the Ivory RS200 beating to the mark. Simon and the Ivorys ended up tying for 6th place at the foot of the results sheet.
Sunday came and better conditions gave Race Officer Gordon walls a better chance of avoiding the previous day’s problems. The first race used more of the lake than Karl had dared to use the previous day and the fleet set off. Simon Miles (Laser) had a great start along with Terry Van Rijn, however once again Andy Gregory’s Phantom made the best of the conditions. Yet again the Streakers put in a strong performance. Bill Strange picked up 2nd and Peter Thornley 3rd.
Race 4 took place over a long course but the wind promptly died to nothing. All competitors were finished on their 1st lap with Andy Gregory, Terry Van Rijn and Simon Miles taking the spoils on strong early leads.
The event finale was a strange affair. Over tea the wind conditions looked no better leading to many helms throwing in the towel and throwing their covers over their boats. The 6 helms that took to the water started in the faintest breeze which built quickly resulting the fleet putting a large number of quick laps. The race’s results would ultimately reflect the competitions overall rankings.
- Andy Gregory (Phantom)
- Terry Van Rijn (Rooster)
- Peter Thornley (Streaker)
- Steve & Ruth Ivory (RS200)
Setting courses in light conditions is a tricky affair and not for the feint hearted, you could guess the wind direction, bung in a square and hope one leg will be a beat, give up and go home. Patience is key and a thick skin to deal with the sledging from the competitors. Saturday’s Race Officer has just one piece of advice to anyone running racing on a baking hot day with no wind: Wear Sunscreen, and plenty of it.