AM: Commodore's Cup 3

Early arrivals were greeted by fog blanketing the water, making sailing 
impossible but by the time the race was due to start, the weather had cleared 
and a steady westerly breeze was blowing across the lake. It was good to see 
more sailors out for their first sail of the season, although some of them had 
tried to remember how to put their boats together and then found they'd 
forgotten bits and left them in the shed! So one helm had to race with no 
thwarts to sit on but he had thoughtfully remembered his crews! As the gun 
went, Jane Anderson in her Laser led the fleet across the line pursued by 
Neil Wallace and Nicky Buckett in the Wayfarer for the first time this 
season. Vicki Duncalf's Topper was third over the line with Steve Axford 
chasing in his Laser. Neil was pushing Jane and challenging her for the lead 
but lost ground as they approached the Middle buoy, whilst Steve moved up 
past Vicki into third place. David Higgs, also out for his first sail of the new 
season moved past a Topper and the Wanderer of Mike Ford into fourth 
position. Neil then took on the lead on a run from Pinkie buoy. Meanwhile 
Steve had also made up ground and was hot on the heels of Jane. 

In a moment of confusion Neil was going to pass the next mark, Zebra on 
the wrong side when he changed course rapidly in an endeavour to correct 
his mistake but was then overtaken by both Jane and Steve. Jane led again 
on the approach to the Dam mark with both Neil and Steve angling to pass 
her Laser. Neil just managed to pull past in time to round the mark clear 
ahead of the two Lasers and take on the lead again. Steve worked hard in his 
Laser but Jane held him off until the next beat to the West mark when he 
succeeded in passing her. Mike and Toby in the Wanderer were enjoying 
themselves keeping the Toppers of Vicki and John Duncalf at bay. David 
was sailing steadily in the centre of the fleet whilst Steve pushed on to close 
the gap and take on Neil and Nicki in the lead. The battle between the 
Toppers was growing with Vicki holding off John. Meanwhile Mike and 
Toby were gaining on David's Laser.  Neil and Nicky watched as Steve 
gradually reduced their lead but held on to take line honours and win the 
race on handicap as well.

Results:  

1st  Neil Wallace and Nicky Buckett (Wayfarer)
2nd Steve Axford (Laser)
3rd Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
4th Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
5th John Duncalf (Topper)
6th Mike Ford and Toby Tobias (Wanderer)
7th David Higgs (Laser) 

PM: Cup Race 3

More sailors arrived and rigged in time for the afternoon race and brought 
the sunshine with them. The wind, as predicted by the forecasters, had built 
and was still rising as the race started. The Scorpion with Paul Whybrow and 
Steve Axford aboard was the first away followed by the Lasers of Jane 
Anderson and Bob Sampson. Neil Wallace with Toby Tobias crewing also 
had a good start. David Higgs set off well overtaking John Duncalf but then 
did an about turn, to John's consternation, as he had a rudder malfunction. 
David went on to finish the first lap in ninth place but as the race progressed 
he moved up a position on each lap. Simon likewise moved up from seventh 
to sixth position between the first and second lap. Paul Anderson took to the 
water for the afternoon race having been officer for the first race and, sailing 
well, lay fifth as he completed the first lap but moved up into fourth place in 
the final round. Emily Veal, the only junior out today, completed two laps to 
be placed eleventh overall after handicapping. David Harker was another 
helm sailing well in his RS Feva and managed to save his capsize until after 
the race had finished. Paul and Steve held on to their lead throughout the 
race to take line honours and win on handicap.        

Results: 

1st Paul Whybrow and Steve Axford (Scorpion)
2nd Bob Sampson (Laser)
3rd  Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
4th Neil Wallace and Toby Tobias (Wayfarer)
5th David Harkett (RS Feva)
6th Paul Anderson (Laser)
7th John Duncalf (Topper)
8th Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
9th Simon Veal (Laser)
10th David Higgs (Laser)
11th Emily Veal (Topper)
Mike Ford (Wanderer) rtd