AM: Sailboat Trophy 1

Having threatened high winds and rain the weatherman only got it half 
right, as it fell down with rain, but the wind evaporated.  A good start by 
Bob Sampson, David Higgs and Simon Veal in fully rigged Lasers 
initially made it look as if it was going to be their day.  However, the 
joker in the pack was Katie Leveridge, who, having not raced for some 
time, sailed her Laser rigged with the small 4.7 sail and kept well in touch 
with the front gang of three.

Neil Wallace and Jane Chadney decided to take out the Club's two new 
Toppers and whilst Neil struggled with getting used to a centre sheeted 
mainsail, Jane had a rigging failure. Whilst managing to get back into the 
race, Jane unfortunately had outside assistance and so was disqualified.
After her heroics of last week, Megan Higgs suffered a broken toe strap 
early on, which immediately gave her a ducking and a retirement.  
Another welcome return to the fold was Adam Pollard sailing his Laser 
Pico and it was just unfortunate for him that the wind gradually died 
away. Mike Ford, Derek Farnfield and Roger Heasman all made poor 
starts and spent the race squabbling amongst themselves. Both Derek and 
Roger both managed to pass Mike at various stages but Mike got the last 
laugh to finish before them.

At the end of the race Bob Sampson had a very good lead and must have 
hoped that he had done enough to win. However Katie's light weather 
skills and persistence paid dividends to give her the win on handicap.

Results: 

1st Katie Leveridge (Laser 4.7)
2nd Bob Sampson (Laser)
3rd Neil Wallace (Topper)
4th David Higgs (Laser)
5th Simon Veal (Laser)
6th Roger Heasman (Laser 4.7)
7th Mike Ford (Solo)
8th Derek Farnfield (Streaker)
9th Adam Pollard (Laser Pico)
Megan Higgs (Topper) rtd Jane Chadney (Topper) dsq

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

Paul Whybrow arrived for the afternoon race with his newly purchased  
immaculate Solo.  Getting away to a very fast start it looked as if Paul 
would lead all the way to the finish.  However he unfortunately hit a buoy 
and had to do a  penalty turn, which let Bob Sampson pass him, much to 
Paul's ire. (It seems Paul slipped on the shiny polished surface of the Solo 
deck!)  Both the Toppers of Jane Chadney and Neil Wallace got a good 
start, only to be overtaken by the faster boats heading to Pinkie.  At 
Pinkie with Jane and Neil about to gybe round the buoy Megan Higgs 
Topper suddenly got a gust of wind and she shot round the buoy ahead of 
both Jane and Neil.  Unfortunately for Megan in the process of passing 
Jane, her mainsheet hit Jane's boat which meant that Megan was forced 
to do a penalty turn. This let Adam Pollard through for a short time but 
Megan quickly regained her position and was soon chasing down Jane 
and Neil again.

Mike Ford who had managed to get a good start in his Solo spent the race 
keeping Katie Leveridge at bay and by the end of the third lap had just 
sneaked enough distance between them to beat Katie on handicap.  Even 
though there was even less wind than in the morning both David Higgs 
and Simon Veal managed to put enough distance between themselves and 
the Toppers to finish ahead on handicap.  Watch out folks it looks as if 
the combination of Paul and his new Solo are a winning pair!

Ladies Cup 5 results: 

1st Katie Leveridge (Laser 4.7)
2nd Jane Chadney (Topper)
3rd Megan Higgs (Topper)

Junior Helm 5 results: 

1st Katie Leveridge (Laser 4.7)
2nd Megan Higgs (Topper)
3rd Adam Pollard (Laser Pico)

Gosling Shield 5 results: 

1st Paul Whybrow (Solo)
2nd Bob Sampson (Laser)
3rd Mike Ford (Solo)
4th Katie Leveridge (Laser 4.7)
5th David Higgs (Laser)
6th Simon Veal (Laser)
7th Neil Wallace (Topper)
8th Jane Chadney (Topper)
9th Roger Heasman (Laser 4.7)
10th Megan Higgs (Topper)
11th Adam Pollard (Laser Pico)