Powerful winds were forecast and several sailors stayed at home as a result. Others came to the Lake but stayed on the shore. The northwesterlies were indeed powerful, coming barrelling over the hills with the turbulence of water cascading over a weir. The waters of the Lake had long angry white streaks.
Nonetheless the Vicecommodore devised a course for a potential race and Dave Perret, his Solo flying a cut-down sail, was the first to take to the water to try it out. He made it to the top of the Lake but came to grief trying to round West White buoy. It was difficult to right a capsize when the gale wouldn’t allow the boat to stay head to wind and Perrett needed assistance from Tom Sparks in the safety boat.
Brian Pollard, sailing the Bosun with his usual crew, Natasha Routley, could have used a lot more weight than she provided to counter the wind pressure. As it was the boat was over-powered by the northwesterlies. He sailed across the Lake to Inlet where the winds were unwilling to let him turn the boat around. When that was finally achieved the Bosun scuttled across the Lake back to the pontoon.
Nathan Pollard lofted the smallest of the Aero’s four sails, the 5, but was still over-powered. After two capsizes he returned to the shore. Bob Sampson was similarly cautious. He put the little 4.7 sail on the mast of the Laser but it was no use. The man known for loving the sheer exhilaration of planing at speed across the centre of the Lake may have avoided a capsize but was very soon back on shore.
Both scheduled races were cancelled.
Thanks were extended to Jenny and Liam Routley who readied themselves to oversee the races and to Mandy Pollard who photographed the struggling sailors.