by Adam Hilton
Bosuns Blue-Green 11
Northwesterly Beaufort 4s gusting 5 led to a general agreement to give the Bosuns small sails, maybe unnecessarily as it turned out but making for comfortable sailing in well-matched boats. Roger Heasman (with Dave Perrett) got away first, followed by John Dabbs (with Louise Witchell) starboard tacking towards Middle. Adam Hilton (with Geoff Floyd) took a different approach, tacking early, but getting no advantage. Roger was first at the buoy with John following. However Roger touched the mark and had to perform a 360, putting him third at West White. John Dabbs’ lead was short-lived since he found his rudder bobbing about at surface level rather than held down. This enabled Roger to reach Pinky first with Adam second. That order stayed the same past the end of lap 1 and on to Middle which Roger rounded successfully this time. John tried to make the buoy before Adam but didn’t; getting out of the way cost him a lot of time. The final mishap was John touching Dam Green at the end of lap 2 after which the order stayed the same although the Hilton/Floyd Bosun was only ten seconds behind the Heasman/Perret one as they crossed the finish line.
- Roger Heasman and David Perrett (Bosun)
- Adam Hilton and Geoff Floyd (Bosun)
- John Dabbs and Louise Witchell (Bosun)
Bosuns Blue-Green 12
Bob Sampson took over the helm of the Hilton Bosun with Geoff Floyd still as crew and he was first over the line three seconds after the horn blew. John was second but only a breath ahead of Roger. John was first to tack but long starboard tacks proved more useful and at Middle Bob was half a Lake width ahead with the other two transom to bow. That gap lengthened as they multi-tacked up to Pinky with John overtaking Bob and easily rounding the buoy first. Then all three Bosuns goose-winged their way back to Dam Green, the only question being whether and when to gibe. At the start of the new lap Roger got past Bob as John increased his lead. On the run back from Pinky Bob was making up water on Roger, gained an overlap on him, and rounded the buoy first. However on the tack to the line Roger could point higher and tack later, giving him the lead as they crossed. However, a tack or two after Bob was able to call starboard on Roger only to have the shroud of the Hilton Bosun give way, leaving him no option but to drift to the Devon shore and retire.
- John Dabbs and Louise Witchell (Bosun)
- Roger Heasman and David Perrett (Bosun)
Retired: Bob Sampson and Geoff Floyd (Bosun)
Bob Sampson OODed the first race, Adam Hilton the second; many thanks to them.