AM: Icicle (Heatwave) Series 3! Our winter morning and afternoon series continue on what must be the hottest Sunday this year! With temperatures of 25*C and a gentle force 1-2 blowing from the south southeast, 9 dinghies set off from the start - everyone in shorts and T-shirts. First away was Simon Veal in his Laser followed by Adam Hilton (420), Nicky Buckett (Laser), and Jane Chadney (Laser). Simon was first round the mark at Dam and was able to get away before the rest of the fleet descended in a bunch causing some chaotic roundings. Bob Sampson with young James Pollard crewing (RS200) had difficulty getting their spinnaker up and flying as they headed off towards Zebra mark. There everyone found more wind as they sheeted in for the close reach to West mark. Simon was first out of West as they all made their way to the Far end on the lake on a very broad reach/run, then round and back down the lake on a very long tactical beat through the start line to begin the second lap. By then Bob had taken the lead in a bit of match racing with Simon as he struggled to hold on to his first place. As they crossed the start line it was Simon who still had the upper hand over Bob. Bob still had problems with his spinnaker after rounding Dam mark allowing Simon to get away again. Further back John Buckett (Bosun) and Sue Murray (Topper Topaz) were challenging each other with Sue just sneaking through and overtaking. Bob and Simon were still fighting all the way to West mark with Simon less than a boat length ahead, but alas at Far mark Bob came tight in to the mark to take the lead. Jane Chadney (Laser) had been creeping up on the pair through out the race and now was contending second place with Simon and only one boat length behind him. Nicky Buckett and Jane Anderson (Laser Radial) were also having a bit of a match racing competition in the mid fleet section, Nicky having partly recovered after a rudder issue on the first lap which had left her at the back of the fleet as she sorted the problem out. As the third lap began Simon and Jane C were still fighting each other as were Sue and John and Jane A and Nicky, all in their pairs and trying to get ahead. John had lost out again to Sue, but he had managed to pass Adam despite having two crew on board instead of one (Kathy and Chris) who were ably manning the jib sheets as John gave his sailing commands! Jane Anderson suddenly woke up on the final leg from Far to the finish and tacked down the lake overtaking Nicky, Jane and Simon to come second after Bob's line honours. Results: 1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial) 2= Sue Murray (Topper Topaz) 2= Bob Sampson and James Pollard (RS200) 4. Simon Veal (Laser) 5. Jane Chadney (Laser) 6. Nicky Buckett (Laser) 7. Alan Comber & John Weller (Enterprise) 8. John Buckett, Kathy Wyke and Christine Marshall (Bosun) 9. Adam Hilton (420) PM: Cup Race 7. Winds seemed a little lighter for the afternoon start with Jane Anderson taking the lead from Nicky. Bob had sorted his spinnaker out at lunch time to allow young James to ably helm the RS200 whilst Bob crewed. The sea breeze was trying to kick in which left the wind all over the place to begin with but then settled down to a light westerly. Jane Anderson, Jane Chadney, James, Nicky and Simon were all very close together through out the race and Jane Chadney managed to wrestle the lead from Jane Anderson at the end of lap 2 and took line honours. The rest of the fleet gamely made their way round, just happy to be sailing on such a superbly glorious day, and all returned to the club house for a drink and home grown 'Discovery' apples kindly brought from Alan Comber's garden. Thank you, they were delicious! Results: 1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial) 2. Jane Chadney (Laser) 3. Nicky Buckett (Laser) 4. James Pollard and Bob Sampson (RS200) 5. John Buckett and Kathy Wyke (Bosun) 6. Mary Carter (Laser) 7. Simon Veal (Laser) 8. Stuart Mealing (Laser Radial) 9. Alan Comber and John Weller (Enterprise) Adam Hilton (420) rtd Many thanks to John Leveridge who manned the Race Box all day and who wrote both reports.