Midweek Tankard 6

In a really light wind but at least dry conditions, six boats ventured onto the lake to test their light-wind sailing techniques. First across the start line was Bob, followed closely by Sue then Roger. Positions had changed by the time the fleet reached the West mark, with Sue now in the lead, followed by Adam and Dave. The race course took the fleet up to Pinkie, but that was where the wind reduced to a whisper. There was a bit of a tussle between Dave and Adam as they both tried to round Dam Green, and Bob, sailing single-handed in a Club Bosun, took advantage of this by passing them both, only to be subsequently overtaken by Adam. Roger, also sailing single-handed in his Bosun, finally gave up the attempt to keep moving and retired.

1. Sue Murray
2. Bob Sampson
3. Adam Hilton
4. Dave Perrett
5. Leila Farmer

Thanks go to Graham Joyce as OOD

Midweek Tankard 5

The first four races of the 2024 Wednesday race series for the Midweek Tankard were all cancelled due to the persistence of uninviting sailing weather, so it was a real pleasure to launch our boats into a gentle northerly breeze. Six boats took to the water for this 2-lap race with Bob, closely followed by Linda, finishing in a little under one hour.

1. Bob Sampson
2. Linda Spiller
3. Sue Murray
4. Dave Perrett
5. Leila Farmer with John Dabbs as crew
6. Roger Heasman with Megan as crew

Thanks go to Colin & Louise Witchell as OOD.

Midweek Tankard 8

Only 3 boats ventured out into today’s Force 3-4 NW wind under overcast skies. Anticipating a challenging sail, John had tucked a reef into his Bosun’s mainsail and Dave’s Solo showed up with a smaller sail. John’s Bosun got away first with the Leila as his crew, closely followed by Dave in his Solo. Louise, with Colin as her crew, and small sails followed in their Bosun. Soon after starting, Dave managed to point higher than John and began to pull ahead on the first beat to Inlet. Meanwhile, Louise and Colin were gamely sailing their own race in third position. On the long run downwind from Pinky to Dam Green, the Solo’s performance downwind enabled Dave to eke out further distance between him and John on the first lap. All boats held on to their race positions for the remaining two laps, although John managed to find a better wind on the last lap and stabalized the distance to Dave.

1. John Dabbs/Leila Farmer (Bosun)
2. Dave Perrett (Solo)
3. Louise/Colin Witchell (Bosun)

Thanks go to Roger for his work as our OOD.

Barnwell 2

Liam Routley in a Laser Radial had an excellent start in his first race. He was followed by Brian Pollard’s Bosun with Liam’s sister Natasha crewing. But as the fleet beat up to Middle buoy Dave Perrett’s high-pointing Solo opened up a good lead followed by the Bosun and Adam Hilton’s slow-starting Solo. On the long run back from the top of the Lake Adam Hilton’s Solo took over the lead and on lap 2 the Solos extended their lead. Robin Spiller, who struggled with a wayward traveller on his new Solo, over took the Bosun but went the wrong side of Pinkie buoy and had to retire.

1. Adam Hilton (Solo)
2. Dave Perrett (Solo)
3. Liam Routley (Laser Full)
4. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)

Retired: Robin Spiller (Solo), Liam Routley (Laser Radial)

Tamar 4

Vicki Duncalf’s Topper and Linda Spiller’s Laser Radial joined the fleet in a freshening, if still erratic breeze. The Topper crossed the line first but the two Solos were again quickest on the beat to Middle with Dave Perrett’s leading the pair and extending the gap until a capsize ended Adam Hilton’s race on lap 3. Liam Routley led the two Radials on lap 1 but after a stealing each other’s wind on the run back down the Lake he was overtaken by Linda Spiller. She then established a comfortable lead over him but never reached the Solos ahead. Vicki Duncalf finished a handsome third and the handicap promoted her to second.

1. Dave Perrett (Solo)
2. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
4. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)
5. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)

Retired: Adam Hilton (Solo)

Thanks were given to race officers Vicki Duncalf and Nathan Pollard.

Barnwell 4

The morning racing commenced in very challenging conditions with strong gusts marching down the lake in the Northwesterly winds.  At the start gun Vicki Duncalf was first over line but by the first mark of the course she was overtaken by Nathan Pollard in his full rig Laser.  By West, Dave Perrett (Solo), having started last, was up to 3rd place and he kept that position to the finish.  Vicki in her Topper had an unfortunate capsize before Dam Green at the end of lap 2 in what was rather challenging conditions, but she managed to smartly right her boat and continue the race.

1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Nathan Pollard (Laser)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
5. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)

Cup 3

With the winds seemingly more of a challenge than in the morning, again Vicki was first over the start line, and by the first mark Nathan had yet again overtaken her to take the lead – this time in his smaller Radial sail.  He was then followed by Brian in his yellow Bosun with new crew Natasha Routley; the 2 Toppers of Vicki and Jane bringing up the rear.  At Inlet Jane managed to nip in and overtake Brian and Natasha to put herself in 2nd place.  This order continued for the rest of the race when we were all rather grateful to come ashore for a lay-down after a rather energetic day’s racing!!

1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Nathan Pollard (Laser Radial)
3. Vicki Duncalf (Topper),
4. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)

Thanks to Geoff Floyd for running the races, Jane Anderson for writing the race report and Mandy Pollard for taking the photos.

Pursuit 2

The Bosuns were first to start this Pursuit race in which the handicaps are applied in advance. Four minutes later came Adam Hilton in his Solo then a minute after that, Jane Anderson (Laser Radial). Finally Nathan Pollard (Laser) began his race eight minutes after the Bosuns had begun their contest. It was a fine and sunny day with brisk little northeasterly winds which were exceptionally gusty even by the gusty standards of Tamar Lake. The Dabbs Bosun started and finished ahead of Brian Pollard’s but in between they swapped places more than once. The single-handers were soon ahead of the Bosuns, Jane Anderson taking over the lead from Adam Hilton who was also passed by Nathan Pollard. But the eight minute handicap was just too much for him; the Radial remaining ahead after an hour’s sailing.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
2. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
3. Adam Hilton (Solo)
4. John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
5. Brian Pollard and Liam Routley (Bosun)

Tamar 3

Linda Spiller left the forward thwart of John Dabbs’ Bosun to Adam Hilton and took out her Laser 4.7. From the start the Lasers raced in order of sail size; Nathan Pollard leading, Jane Anderson second and Linda Spiller third. Behind them was another close fought battle between the Dabbs and Pollard Bosuns. John Dabbs mostly led, Brian Pollard taking over at least twice but at the race end being very slowly overtaken on the long run to Dam Green.

1. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
2. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
4. John Dabbs and Adam Hilton (Bosun)
5. Brian Pollard and Liam Routley (Bosun)

Thanks were given to race officer Dave Perrett and to Mandy Pollard who took the photographs.

Commodore 2

Dave Perrett (Solo) got away first, still led after making the long beat to West in one tack and remained in front at the top of the course before the two–tacking but faster Lasers of Nathan Pollard (Full) and Jane Anderson (Radial) got past. The day had started sunny and windless but by noon the breeze had filled in and chosen to blow from the west. The second lap saw little change to the order, the winds a little light for the Dabbs and Pollard Bosuns or Vicki Duncalf’s Topper to make much of a race of it. On the last lap a lucky lift took the slow-starting Adam Hilton past Dave Perrett.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
2. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
3. Adam Hilton (Solo)
4. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
5. Dave Perrett (Solo)
6. John Dabbs and Roger Heasman (Bosun)
7. Brian Pollard and Liam Routley (Bosun)

Sailboat 2

Dave Perrett repeated his excellent start. Sue Murray, Officer of the Day, had changed the start line but the shifting winds still enabled the lead boat to make West in one tack. The others needed two. But by the end of lap 1 the order was a familiar Pollard, Anderson, Perrett, Hilton and so it remained. The action was taking place further back where the two Bosuns were engaged in internecine warfare, first one leading then the other. Brian Pollard spoilt his leading position at the finish by forgetting the changed course and going the wrong side of the buoy.

1. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
2. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
3. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
4. Dave Perrett (Solo)
5. Adam Hilton (Solo)
6. John Dabbs and Roger Heasman (Bosun)
7. Brian Pollard and Liam Routley (Bosun)

Thanks were given to race officer Sue Murray and to Mandy Pollard who took the photographs.

Pursuit 1

The winds whilst getting the various boats rigged were light, but by the time we were ready to race they had increased to a fairly brisk breeze with gusty puffs in between, making conditions somewhat challenging.  6 boats set off on a preset timed course called the ‘Pursuit Series’; the slower boats going off first followed by gradually faster boats in their handicap order.  Vicky Duncalf and Jane Anderson in their Toppers were off at the start, followed a few minutes later by Linda Spiller in her Laser Radial, Robin Spiller and Dave Perrett in their Solo’s, and Nathan Pollard bringing up the rear in his much faster Laser Full Rig.  His time penalty was quite high when you think that Jane was leading the race and rounding the most distant of the marks as Nathan was starting his race! He then managed to overtake Linda at the end of the first lap.  As the race progressed, the wind backed round towards the north, causing Robin to put his boat aground on the way up to Far mark.  Jane was managing to fend Nathan off, but Vicki was eventually overtaken by him in the 52nd minute, giving him 2nd place. One or two more competitors managed to improve their positions, and with the course lasting for 68 minutes precisely, the results were:

1. Jane Anderson
2. Nathan Pollard
3. Linda Spiller
4. Dave Perrett
5. Vicki Duncalf
   Robin Spiller retired

Commodore’s Cup 1

Nathan was first to cross the start line on an altered course from the morning race.  The winds having increased further, and it was going to be a quite challenging race for some.  All competitors managed to finish the 3 laps of the course and were rather relieved to come ashore for tea after a rather difficult afternoon so early in the season.

1. Nathan Pollard
2. Jane Anderson
3. Dave Perrett
4. Vicki Duncalf
5. John Dabbs and his trusty crew of 2! (Bosun)
6. Louise Witchell with crew Bob Sampson (Bosun)

Thanks to Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert for OOD duties, Jane Anderson for writing the race report and Mandy Pollard for taking the photos.

Cup 1

Jane Anderson, sailing her Topper for the first race of the season, got off to a flier but on the long beat up to the top of the Lake Adam Hilton’s Solo overtook and by the time she reached the buoy Dave Perrett’s Solo was close to her stern and overtook on the leg back to West. The sun was always present and providing some warmth even if clouds often obscured it. The winds were north-westerly and reliable except at times at the Dam in the lee of the hill where they became distinctly flukey. Laps were taking fifteen minutes and so Paul Anderson, the Officer of the Day, shortened the course from four laps to three.

1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Adam Hilton (Solo)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)

Sailboat 1

The little fleet was joined by Nathan Pollard’s Laser, by Linda Spiller’s Laser 4.7 and by new-comer Liam Routley helming a Club-owned Bosun with Bob Sampson as mentor and crew. Linda Spiller crossed the line a nose ahead of a close–packed fleet but the little sail on her Laser didn’t give her the speed to stay there. Nathan Pollard’s Laser, Adam Hilton’s and Dave Perrett’s Solos went by in that order and well before they reached the top of the Lake. The Bosun stayed ahead of Jane Anderson’s Topper until the end of lap 1 when she overtook only for the position to be reversed a time or two. The winds were stronger; there was time for four laps and the decision whether or not to gibe at West became distinctly tricky.

1. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
2. Jane Anderson (Topper)
3. Adam Hilton (Solo)
4. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
5. Dave Perrett (Solo)
6. Liam Routley and Bob Sampson (Bosun)

Many thanks were given to Paul Anderson who ran the race and to Mandy Pollard who took the photographs.

Tamar 2

Nathan Pollard, with the big sail on his Laser, led from the start line towards Inlet on a tight port tack. Adam Hilton (Solo) tried going over the line on starboard and when he tacked emerged in front of Jane Anderson (Topper). The generally brisk north-west wind was blanketed by the headland beyond Inlet, making the last few meters before the buoy slow and uncertain. Nathan Pollard maintained his lead across to Middle but lost some water on the next beat, to Pinkie. From there it was a run to West and across to Zebra with gibes at both buoys. Nathan Pollard’s lead was never threatened but Jane Anderson remained ahead of the Pollard/Routley Bosun only as far as Pinkie. She was behind it rounding Zebra only to re-pass and finish the race in third place. The handicap gave the little Topper the victory.

1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
3. Adam Hilton (Solo)
4. Brian Pollard and Liam Routley (Bosun)

Barnwell 3

Nathan Pollard was again first to start and led throughout the race. The Pollard/ Routley Bosun was second and Jane Anderson third. The winds had freshened and moved further west and laps were quicker at around 11 minutes. Linda Spiller, the Officer of the Day, had made slight changes to the course to cut out the gibe at Dam Green. Brian Pollard had not grasped all the changes, went the wrong side of Home1 and in retrieving his mistake lost his place to Jane Anderson and was unable to regain it.

1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Nathan Pollard (Laser Full)
3. Brian Pollard and Liam Routley (Bosun)

Many thanks were given to Linda and Robin Spiller who ran the race and to Mandy Pollard who took the photographs.