Tamar 9
Nathan Pollard (Aero 5) was away first with Bob Sampson, comfortable in his Laser 4.7, second, a welcome Steve Axford third and Brian Pollard with Tash Routley fourth. All then successfully negotiated a gybe at Far. Heading back down to white west, Steve Axford in the Laser Radial overtook Bob Sampson with the Bosun hanging on.
Nathan Pollard started to distance himself from the rest of the squall-hit fleet. Axford had also distanced himself from Sampson but the Bosun was almost alongside going around Home 1. Sailing back up to Far however, it started to drop back.
On Lap 2 all boats again successfully negotiating the tricky gybe at Far but spread apart. The gusts coming from the west were giving them all a difficult time. Steve Axford maintained the distance between himself and the leading Aero, admirable considering how infrequently he races his Laser. No further position changes took place, but the Bosun managed to close up on Bob Sampson between Far and White West buoys.
Results:
- Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
- Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
- Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
- Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
Spare 3/Sailboat 1
It was a good start by the Lasers and the Aero although the Bosun with Tash Routley helming took longer to reach Home 2. It was drizzly and misty again with ever-stronger gusts.
As the race progressed Steve Axford forged ahead of Nathan Pollard but fierce competition between them continued for the rest of the race, the little Laser 4.7 and the Bosun merely following on.
- Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
- Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
- Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
- Tash Routley and Brian Pollard (Bosun)
Many thanks to Vicki Duncalf and Roger Heasman who ran the races.