Midweek Mug 1
The first Wednesday race of the season was held under dark clouds but was powered by very usable force two and three northwesterlies with, by the standards of Tamar Lake, very few gusts. John Buckett’s nine buoy course had the seven strong fleet beating to Inlet and across to West, up to Pinkie and then running back to Dam Green with enough buoys in between to catch out Bob Sampson when his big-sailed Laser was in the lead. Sue Murray (Laser Radial) was first away with Linda Spiller’s Radial and then Bob Sampson just behind, but after West Bob took the lead. Adam Hilton’s Solo managed to beat between Middle and Pinkie without tacking which brought him back up to the three leading Lasers. Then on the return run to the Dam the Solo’s big sail took it past Linda Spiller’s Radial where it stayed until its skipper capsized it on lap 2. Robin Spiller’s Streaker raced Geoff Floyd’s Solo for fourth place and got it, both on the water and, their handicaps being similar, in the results. Leila Farmer, sailing the Hartley 12 solo, raced Louise and Colin Witchell’s Bosun and beat it on the water but not when the handicaps were applied. At the finish Bob Sampson had regained the lead after having to sail back to his missed buoy. He had lapped the back markers and had a minute and a half’s lead over Sue Murray. That was not enough to overcome the Radial’s advantageous handicap but was just enough – one second of corrected time – to keep him ahead of third place Linda Spiller.
- Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
- Bob Sampson (Laser Full)
- Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
- Robin Spiller (Streaker)
- Geoff Floyd (Solo)
- Louise and Colin Witchell (Bosun)
- Leila Farmer (Hartley 12)
Retired: Adam Hilton (Solo)
John Buckett was a characteristically efficient Officer of the Day. Many thanks to him.