2nd April 2023 Race Report

by Adam Hilton

Mandy Pollard

Barnwell 2

For many sailors this was still their first race of the season. Sue Murray took out her Laser 4.7 when, after months off the water, she had reminded herself how to rig it. Brian Pollard had a new set of sails for his Bosun and Cilla Gilbert as crew. Vicki Duncalf was out for the first time in her Topper as was John Buckett in his little two-sailed Otter which he piloted in his signature sideways/backwards position and with his usual skill. The wind gods were still encamped somewhere west of Bradworthy and sending down fairly gentle Northerlies which meant that there was no need to change the course from the previous week. It went to West via Inlet and up to Pinkie with a long run back to the Dam.

John Dabbs (Adam Hilton crewing) took his Bosun over the line first, closely followed by Sue Murray who soon took over the lead while pointing a lot higher than the Bosun. She then tacked early for Inlet, a manoeuvre which paid off handsomely. Brian Pollard’s Bosun was also pointing higher enabling him to round Inlet and reach West in front of the Dabbs Bosun. The tussle between these two skippers was a continuing feature of the race with Brian Pollard leading at the end of the first and last laps but with John Dabbs in front at the end of the second. They finished ten seconds apart. Behind them the two Solos of Geoff Floyd and Dave Perrett battled with Floyd eventually emerging in front.

Inlet, in the lee of the hills, continued to test skippers with its feeble winds from uncertain directions. Sue Murray lost much of her lead there on the second lap and she finished only ten seconds in front of the lead Bosun which explains the handicap demoting her.

Sailboat 2

Sue Murray led over the line with Vicki Duncalf following. Next came the yellow Pollard/Gilbert Bosun chased by John Bucket’s Otter. The winds were lighter than for the first race and slightly further to the east. Laps took longer to complete and Jane Anderson as Officer of the Day shortened the race to two laps from the intended three.

Inlet again proved difficult, Brian Pollard’s fine start being ruined by getting stuck windless at Inlet. Sue Murray, on the other hand, was able to consolidate her lead, which was up to a good four minutes at the end. John Buckett’s Otter several times headed the lead Bosun (now John Dabbs’) but ended the race third on the water. At only twenty seconds behind the Bosun at the finish, however, he was promoted by the handicap.

Many thanks were given to Jane Anderson who ran the race and to Mandy Pollard who took the photographs.