by Adam Hilton
Roger’s Bosuns 1
The forecast was for westerlies of force 6 gusting 7 and mostly they were westerlies and there were certainly times when they were of force 6 and of force 7 but there were times when they were most other strengths too. The winds during the race were strong and very gusty. But when the sailors arrived the wind was a good deal milder although shelter had to be found when heavy showers arrived. Nobody put small sails on their Bosun. Unusually, there were more potential crew than helms. Brian Pollard had brought Nathan. Ian Chatterton ended up crewing for Adam Hilton and Roger Heasman had his regular crew, Linda Spiller.
Brian got away first, beating towards West, getting there first and staying first throughout the race. The only doubt about the Pollard race was whether their Bosun was going to dig its yellow nose so deep in the water that the boat went under; spectators by the race hut were on tenterhooks. Roger Heasman followed at the start and throughout, generally gaining on the runs and losing the gains on the beats. Adam Hilton brought up the rear but, exhausted by battling the constant gusts, retired after two laps of the three.
- Brian and Nathan Pollard (Bosun)
- Roger Heasman and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
- Adam Hilton and Ian Chatterton (Bosun)
There was no appetite for a second race.
Grateful thanks were given to John Dabbs, Officer of the Day, and Penny Abbott, who took the photos on her phone.