Barnwell 5
Capsizing and avoiding capsizing dominated this race. The winner (Nathan Pollard in his Laser 4.7) even capsized as he crossed the finish line! Fortunately there is no rule banning finishing the race the wrong way up! He had fronted the race from the start, leading over the line from Vicki Duncalf (Topper) and Jane Anderson (Topper). The powerful winds were from the south west which meant a start towards the Dam and Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7) was already coming up fast to take second place as the fleet rounded Dam Green. He remained in the wake of the Pollard Laser throughout the race but at an increasing distance, ending two minutes behind. The truly vicious gusts were making it very hard to keep the boats upright and the safety boat (operated by Tom Sparkes, to whom the Club is very grateful) had to tow in two of the competitors. Jane Anderson and Sue Murray were finishing their three laps and their races at about the same time as the two Laser 4.7s in front of them completed four. Sadly the weather defeated Jane and Sue and they had to retire.
1.       Nathan Pollard (Laser 4.7)
2.       Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
Retired: Vicki Duncalf, Jane Anderson and Sue Murray in Toppers, Brian Pollard and John Dabbs in a Bosun
The weather did not abate and so the 2nd race was cancelled.
Grateful thanks were given to Adam Hilton, Officer of the Day, and to Mandy Pollard who took the photographs.