5th May 2019 Race Report

Commodore 2

Much to the relief of all afloat after recent windless Sundays, this week there was thankfully a strong, gusty breeze blowing down towards the dam.

First across the start line was Paul Whybrow’s Solo, but in the long beat up the lake Jane Anderson found the lead in her Radial rigged Laser.  With the disadvantage of a stiff personal handicap in the second of this new series, she needed to stay far out in front to stand a chance of beating the rest of the mixed fleet and this she soon started to do.  Linda Spiller had a larger full sail on her Laser, but after staying fairly close for the first two laps, she then found herself slipping ever further behind.  Penny Abbott with another full Laser rig, jostled places with the Solo, before catching a lucky wind shift on the last lap to overtake Linda.  This led to a determined battle between the two, Linda just able to regain second place on the water by the finish.  The two Streakers sailed by Roger Heasman and Robin Spiller were well matched, competing in 5th and 6th, but after the first lap Roger kept his bow in front.  Two Bosuns each had a Buckett on board, Nicky helming with Sally Wills as crew and John crewing, with Brian Pollard at the helm.  At times both boats were very close, but despite staying ahead and finishing a minute before Brian, Nicky’s personal handicap pushed her far down the final placings.  In the only Topper, Vicki Duncalf brought up the rear of the fleet, but was rewarded when handicaps were applied to finish times.  Jane Anderson’s valiant effort proved sadly for her, not quite enough.

  1. Brian Pollard and John Buckett (Bosun)
  2. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
  3. Paul Whybrow (Solo)
  4. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
  5. Nicky Buckett and Sally Wills (Bosun)
  6. Robin Spiller (Streaker)
  7. Roger Heasman (Streaker)
  8. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
  9. Penny Abbott (Laser Full)

Tamar 3

Sadly a rig failure prevented Penny Abbott from starting the second race and she was forced to limp back to the beach.

With wind strengthening, the remaining boats were in tight competition across the line.  However, now joined by Nathan Pollard in his full rig, the Lasers soon sailed ahead with Jane Anderson in what was to become an undisputed lead.  Likewise Linda Spiller found herself unable to catch up with Nathan and the race became something of a procession, the only change in position being that of the Bosuns when Nicky Buckett gained a lead over Brian Pollard during lap 3.  A course with several gybes made life more challenging, but the only capsize was an unlucky Roger in his Streaker, towards the end of the race.

  1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
  2. Nicky Buckett and Sally Wills (Bosun)
  3. Brian Pollard and John Buckett (Bosun)
  4. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
  5. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
  6. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
  7. Roger Heasman (Streaker)

Retired: Penny Abbott (Laser Full)

Many thanks go to Geoff Floyd for acting as Officer of the Day and to Mandy Pollard for photographs.