11th July 2021 Race Report

Bosun Plus 5

Six Bosuns crossed the line with Roger Heasman (Linda Spiller as crew) in the lead in this one class race under lowering skies and at times heavy rain but not the powerful winds forecast. Brian Pollard (with Cilla Gilbert) followed, with John Dabbs (Ian Chatterton) next. Bob Sampson, sailing solo and with small sails, came after, with Sue Murray and Vicki Duncalf in their wake, also flying small sails. Adam Hilton and Paul Anderson (his first ever race as crew) were last over the line but overtook the two small-sailed Bosuns before the gybe at Dam Green. The heavens opened and the rain cut much of the wind strength as the fleet rounded Inlet and hardened up to beat across to West. Reaching to Far was easy but the multiple tacks required to return to the start line were demanding of boats and helms. Roger Heasman lost his comfortable lead, his Bosun still refusing to point as high as others. This made John Dabbs the leading Bosun at the end of the lap with the rest in the order Heasman, Hilton, Murray and Sampson. They were all bunched up going round Dam Green but Roger Heasman was gifted a puff of wind from heaven and shot away only to lose his advantage again as the lap progressed. The other Bosuns arrived at Inlet still bunched and squabbling. The Hilton/ Anderson boat drifted onto the buoy, losing time and having to execute a penalty turn as the cold rain came down and thunder could be heard.

  1. John Dabbs and Ian Chatterton (Bosun)
  2. Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun)
  3. Roger Heasman and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
  4. Sue Murray and Vicki Duncalf (Bosun)
  5. Adam Hilton and Paul Anderson (Bosun)

Retired: Bob Sampson (Bosun)

Nathan Pollard (Laser Full) also raced.

 

Pursuit 6

The unseasonal damp and chill had left some sailors dispirited and the field was reduced to five with, in this pursuit race, Vicki Duncalf’s Topper starting first and Nathan Pollard’s Laser Full starting last some fifteen minutes later with the other competitors spread out in between. Before the end of the first lap John Dabbs had overtaken Vicky Duncalf and Sue Murray, now with Bob Sampson as crew, had overtaken Brian Pollard who shortly after found himself with a tiller extension in his hand unattached to the tiller, requiring an emergency visit to the pontoon for repairs. Right at the end of lap 2 Sue Murray overtook John Dabbs but Nathan Pollard never made up enough ground to overtake the leading  Bosuns.

  1. Sue Murray and Bob Sampson (Bosun)
  2. John Dabbs and Ian Chatterton (Bosun)
  3. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
  4. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
  5. Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun)

Grateful thanks were given to Jane Anderson, Officer of the Day, and to Mandy Pollard who took the photographs.