AM: Sailboat Trophy 1

A strong north westerly wind blowing straight down the lake to the dam 
made racing very intense. With sails fully out sideways to the boats the 
racers were sailing by the lee coming down the lake and all the boats 
rocked and rolled as the gusts caught them.  Six of the 12 boats were 
Toppers ( ideal boats for the conditions), with two of the Lasers on the 
smallest 4.7 rig and only Simon Veal sailing a fully rigged Laser! The 
Wanderer, Bosun and Otter helms were all sailing with crew for the badly 
needed extra ballast.

Stephanie Clark away well headed the fleet in her Laser 4.7, with John 
Buckett in the Otter crewed by John Weller second. All the boats seemed 
to take different line to round the first buoy at inlet, with Nicky Buckett 
in her Laser on a 4.7 rig just getting her nose in front of Stephanie Clark. 
This started a ding dong battle for the lead between Nicky and Stephanie 
for the whole four laps, punctuated by errors from both ladies, in going 
the wrong way around buoys. Eventually Nicky managed to stretch out 
enough of a lead to cross the line first.

Meanwhile, the Toppers were being lead by Jane Anderson with John 
Duncalf doing his utmost to catch her. Vicki Duncalf meanwhile had a rig 
failure just after the start and had to retire. Stephen Muller who had 
reefed his Topper was sailing very comfortably considering the 
conditions. No such luck for Emily Veal and Stephanie Heasman also in 
Toppers, who were both struck by lee helm death roll disaster and retired. 
Simon Veal was also finding the conditions overpowering and did a 
spectacular back flip from his laser as he capsized in a strong gust.
Mike Ford in the Wanderer nearly took crew Alan Combers head off, as 
caught by a sudden gust the boat involuntarily rolled with the boom 
flying across the boat at great speed.  With David Harris on board for his 
ballast John Chandler in the Bosun seemed to be revelling in the 
conditions and crossed the finish line well up the fleet in fourth. John 
Buckett struggled after his good start and the Otter looked in danger of 
nose diving with both helm and crew sitting well forwards on the run.
On handicap Jane Anderson put the Topper first, with Nicky Buckett 
second and John Duncalf third only five second behind.

Results: 

1st Jane Anderson (Topper)
2nd Nicky Buckett (Laser 4.7)
3rd John Duncalf (Topper)
4th Stephanie Clark (Laser 4.7)
5th John Chandler and David Harris (Bosun)
6th Stephen Muller (Topper)
7th Simon Veal (Laser)
8th Mike Ford and Alan Comber (Wanderer)
9th John Buckett and John Weller (Otter)
Vicki Duncalf (Topper), Emily Veal (Topper), Stephanie Heasman 
(Topper)

PM race: Ladies Cup/Junior Helm/Gosling Shield 5

Changes of helm and boats saw Katherine Muller replace Stephanie Clark 
in the Laser 4.7 and Simon Veal opt for the more docile Laser Pico. With 
the action of a true gentleman, John Duncalf also passed over his Topper 
to Vicki, enabling her to compete after her rig failure of the morning.
Much as in the morning race, the two boats at the front of the fleet were 
the Laser 4.7’s. However, this time around Katherine Muller was giving 
Nicky Buckett a hard time. As Nicky commented after the race, 
Katherine’s exposure to Nationals racing showed its worth, as although 
only still a junior Katherine had the better boat control.

Bob Sampson helming his RS200 with a brave previously untried crew in 
Dunken started the race well and was soon in third position. However, 
with the vagaries of the wind and having problems setting the spinnaker 
Bob at times could be seen veering off at peculiar angles. The result of 
one major veer to avoid Nicky Buckett caused an involuntary gybe and 
capsize with Bob in the water and crew Dunken perched on top of the 
boat.  This let Roger Heasman sneak through into third. Bob then passed 
Roger again only for his less direct routing to allow Roger to pass him 
again to cross the line third. 

Stephen Muller again sailing with his Topper well reefed down was also 
sailing exceptionally well, in the process leaving an admiring John 
Buckett in his wake as he creamed past the Otter on the run.  The race 
between Katherine and Nicky went right to the line with the two boats 
almost inseparable and with Katherine winning by a whisker.  Ladies 
ruled the day, as Jane Anderson was third on handicap and Vicki Duncalf 
fourth!

Results 

1st Katherine Muller (Laser 4.7)
2nd Nicky Buckett (Laser 4.7)
3rd Jane Anderson (Topper)
4th Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
5th Roger Heasman (Laser 4.7)
6th John Chandler and David Harris (Bosun)
7th Stephen Muller (Topper)
8th Bob Sampson and Dunken (RS200)
9th John Buckett and John Weller (Otter)
10th Mike Ford and Alan Comber (Wanderer)
11th Simon Veal (Laser Pico)
12th Emily Veal (Topper)