AM: Icicle Series 4

The weather was a real contrast to last week with constant mizzle, gusty westerly winds only 
for the hardy and only three sailors fitted that description!  Steve Axford was the first to 
cross the line with Vicki Duncalf close behind.  A sharp gust hit all three as they escaped the 
shelter of the shore, causing all three to tip in unison but they all remained upright. Steve 
pulled away from the toppers with some good planing on the reach to dam.  The gybe mark 
was set in front of the clubhouse to provide entertainment but the expertise of the sailors 
meant they were under too much control and (very boringly!) they all executed their 
roundings competently.

Steve Axford was stuck in irons in his approach to west on the second leg allowing Vicki to 
make up some ground. She had a speedy plane in the middle of the lake as Steve once again 
struggled to make it to west.  However, to avoid embarrassment Vicki granny tacked around 
dam giving herself a good line onto the second lap. John Duncalf, with a reef in, was sailing 
far more sedately and in total control but would need some nasty gusts to knock over the 
other two to have a chance of overtaking. In the end it was quite an uneventful race given 
the conditions, which is a tribute to the skill of the three hardy sailors.

Results:
1.      Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
2.      Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
3.      John Duncalf (Topper)
 
PM: Frostbite Series 3
 
In the afternoon John Duncalf decided to take out his reef which was possibly a mistake as 
the winds had strengthened considerably!  The windward west mark proved difficult once 
more as all three sailors struggled to get their sails close hauled sufficiently. The conditions 
were very taxing and after one lap John Duncalf decided to call it a day and return to the 
warmer conditions of the clubhouse.  Steve Axford and Vicki Duncalf continued, torn 
alternately between excitement and exhilaration with the great planing down the lake all 
the way from Pinkie to Home 1 and on the other hand nervous tension! Steve did extremely 
well to stay upright in his Laser Radial and Vicki couldn’t catch him on handicap; it was after 
all more a day of “surviving”

Results:

1. Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
2. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
John Duncalf (Topper) rtd
 
Many thanks to Simon Veal and John Buckett for manning the safety boat and to Stephanie 
Clark and John Leveridge for acting as race officers and writing these reports.