AM: Commodore's Cup 7
 
5 boats competed in the morning race in very challenging conditions.  Bob Sampson's 
seasonal airing for his RS 200 allowing him to quickly overtake the Toppers as the fleet 
headed for the Dam buoys.  He was first round both marks and quickly set his spinnaker for 
the downwind leg.  The Toppers behind were becalmed at Dam Red in a lull with Jane 
Anderson hitting the mark, and Simon Veal forced to tack back to get around it.  However, 
once they were round they could all fly downwind to Zebra mark.  Unfortunately John Duncalf 
was forced to retire when a shackle failed on his Topper and he limped back to the shore.  
The RS 200 capsized en route to Pinky mark and was then passed by Jane's Topper with 
Vicki Duncalf close behind.  The RS managed to right and then closed back down on the 
Topper fleet, though Jane had pulled out a good lead once round Dam Red and sailing with 
the wind behind her.  At the same point Simon demonstrated a death roll in his Topper, 
managing somehow to recover.
 
On lap 2 Jane was first round Pinky but the RS asserted its upwind authority and took the 
lead just passing the Inlet.  On lap 3 Jane steadily closed on the RS and was within 6 
seconds of Bob at Pinky mark with Vicki and Simon maintaining their positions behind, but 
sailing steadily in conditions which continued to be challenging.  Vicki held on to 3rd place 
with Simon closing fast and was within 8 seconds of her at the finish.
 
Results:  

1.  Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
3. Simon Veal (Topper)
4. Bob Sampson & Lee Sampson (RS 200).  

Grateful thanks to Stuart Mealing for stepping in to do OOD duties and for writing this report.
 
PM: Pursuit Series 1.
 
The staggered start of the Pursuit Series led to a procession of 3 Toppers - John Duncalf 
going off first, followed by wife Vicki 2 minutes later, then Jane Anderson a minute after that.  
Bob Sampson had changed crews at lunch time and now had Nicky Buckett in the boat.  Its 
handicap penalising them at the start so much that the Toppers had already completed a lap 
of the course before they were allowed to start their race!  The wind had moderated 
somewhat, but the procession continued, though Vicki and Jane were slowly closing in on 
John at the front, but Jane was unable to close the gap between herself and Vicki.  
Meanwhile, Bob and Nicky were charging round the course making up for their penalised time 
and gaining huge ground on the Toppers, finally catching them up at the Dam marks (but still 
1 lap behind!).  Then with the spinnaker set they planed off ahead in an effort to close the gap 
further.  By the end of Lap 3 the girl's Toppers were closing right in on John, all 3 boats 
struggling in the huge squalls and gusts which had suddenly descended on the lake.  On the 
final lap all 3 Toppers were together at Home Mark and as they rounded Dam Green sailing 
tactics came in to play which suddenly reversed the order.  Jane hardened up to windward at 
Dam Green allowing her to tack ahead of Vicki and then pinch Vicki's wind, and then both she 
and Vicki nipping ahead of John, who was left wondering what on earth had happened to his 
lead! 
 
Results:  

1.  Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
3. John Duncalf (Topper)
4. Bob Sampson and Nicky Buckett(RS 200).  

Thanks to Adeney Pooler for OOD  duties and for writing this report.