AM Equinoctial 2

Sunday dawned deceptively breezy; most of the assembled sailors thought that the
 wind did not appear to be very strong on the approach road to the lake. This 
was because the wind was from the North, blowing the length of the lake towards 
the dam. With a stiff force 3 to 4, and clear blue skies, a good sailing day was
 on the cards for all. Nine boats lined up for the first competitive event of 
the season; Equinoctial 1 having been blown out last week.

Jane Anderson showed that the winter break had not dulled here starting edge as
 she led the rest of the fleet off the line at the start horn sounded. She was 
hard pressed by Bob Sampson and Steve Axford. As competitive natures were re-
asserted, Jane tacked ahead of Bob, forcing Bob to tack away from a collision 
and on to a buoy: They both took penalty turns to avoid disqualification which
 let Steve Axford open up a lead that would not be broken. 

Paul Anderson, Merchant Skipper, had a torrid time in his slightly smaller Laser 
and sensibly retired after several unplanned capsize drills. Katie Leveridge 
performed well, pushing up into third position on the water. John and Vicki 
Duncalf spent the race in their own private tussle between Toppers; John took 
the first honours of the season. Emily Veal spent her time swapping places back 
and forward with Toby Tobias and Jane Chadney in the Bosun; she finally pulled 
ahead on the beat to the finish line only to capsize as she crossed the line.

Results:

1st S Axford (Laser)
2nd B Sampson (Laser)
3rd J Duncalf  (Topper)
4th K Leveridge (Laser Radial)
5th J Anderson (Laser Radial)
6th A Tobias/J Chadney (Bosun)
7th V Duncalf  (Topper)
8th E Veal (Laser Radial)
P Anderson (Laser) rtd

PM: Equinoctial 3

Back on the water after lunch and a well-earned cup of tea, six sailors lined up 
for the afternoon race. Steve Axford and Bob Sampson both made a good start, 
followed by Paul Whybrow in his immaculate Solo. The first lap and a half was 
fairly uneventful but the Officer of the Day recorded that Steve Axford must 
have stopped off for a cup of tea during the race as he had inexplicably swapped 
positions with Bob Sampson shortly after disappearing from his view. Fortunately 
the safety boat crew can confirm that Steve had decided to take an early bath 
after rounding West white.

Vicki Duncalf overtook husband John to let him know he couldn't have it all his 
own way, particularly as it was Mother's Day! Toby Tobias and Jane Chadney 
spotted that the safety boat crew were taking pictures and decided to make the 
most of a photo opportunity; this was clearly the reason they placed last 
although they did look like they were having a lot of fun and that's what 
counts.

Results: 

1st  B Sampson (Laser)
2nd P Whybrow (Solo)
3rd S Axford (Laser)
4th V Duncalf (Topper)
5th J Duncalf (Topper)
6th A Tobias/J Chadney (Bosun)