Roger’s Bowl 12

It was an overcast day but the morning’s drizzle had passed and there was the odd peek of sunshine to brighten the afternoon. The north-west wind, whilst not strong, was unpredictable.

Four boats took part in the race, including Charlotte, new to racing, who joined in for part of the course in a club Topper to gain some valuable experience.

Progress to first buoy was challenging, with the wind playing tricks at Inlet. Nathan (Aero 7) arrived there with a clear lead and remained ahead for the rest of the race. Leila was in charge of John’s Bosun (with John as crew) and was in second place for much of the race. Harriet (Laser Radial) caught up a few times and eventually passed the Bosun, despite making a couple of detours to check on Charlotte’s progress.

Nathan was first to finish. Harriet and Leila arrived in second and third places respectively, but the Bosun’s handicap advantage swapped these positions in the final result.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Leila Farmer and John Dabbs (Bosun)
3. Harriet Cox (Laser Radial)
   Retired: Charlotte Cox (Topper)

Thanks to Brian, Dave and Teresa who shared safety boat cover and OOD duties.

Rogers Bowl Eleven Race

Seven boats took to the water to start the race. The wind supposedly from the south east was playing dirty tricks. As a result the club Bosun being helmed by Jack Knigh and his mother Tess, both novice racers retired, before race start.

As the race started, the fully rigged Laser of Harriet Cox and the Bosun helmed by John Dabbs and crewed by Leila Farmer, crossed the line almost simultaneously. However, the Bosun had more speed and sped off towards Dam Green. Tacking for the buoy the Bosun came to a standstill, allowing Harriet to take the lead. Meanwhile, Tom Knight, another novice racer in a Pico dinghy, had also made a good start over the line, but was almost immediately was passed by Robin Spiller and Geoff Floyd in their Solo dinghies, with Bob Sampson in his re-rigged Topper Bringing up the rear.

John Dabbs and Harriet Cox, then spent the first two laps duking it out around the various buoys and having a clash of boats, at Inlet buoy. This gave John the race lead back, as Harriet did her penalty turns. (Harriet also managed to have a capsize doing an athletic roll tack!) Having quickly righted the Laser, Harriet then set of again in pursuit of the Dabbs Bosun.

Meantime, after his good start Robin Spiller was overtaken by a determined Geoff Floyd, who managed to retain his third position on the water until race end. Tom Knight was beginning to find the switch about wind really tricky and having fallen to last position on the water, decided to call it a day. (Well done Tom for your first ever race!)

Harriet’s steely determination paid off, as by the end of the race she had put distance between herself and John/Leila, who crossed the line second. Geoff who had been working hard to catch up finished in good time, was third over the line, with Robin fourth and Bob, a hard worked last.

Many thanks to Brian and Nathan Pollard for neglecting their racing, to crew the race support safety boat.

OOD: Roger Heasman.

Results:

1. John Dabbs and Leila Farmer, Bosun
2. Bob Sampson, Topper
3. Harriet Cox, Laser
4. Geoff Floyd, Solo
5. Robin Spiller, Solo
   Retired: Tom Knight Pico and Jack and Tess Knight, Bosun.

Roger’s Bowl 10

The bright sunshine provided ideal sailing conditions, although the SE breeze was a bit more than forecast. Bob and Sue hoisted the 4.7 rig on their Lasers, and Geoff settled for his smaller sail. Nathan launched with his Aero 5 rig, and John with crew Leila set out with full sail Bosun.

SWLT’s Barney kindly pushed the button to start the race sequence. Nathan was first over the start line, followed closely by John with Sue and Bob in hot pursuit.

Thereafter, Nathan pulled steadily away from the other boats. John, Sue and Bob travelled in a compact group throughout the race with several close encounters at the buoys although different tacking strategies were employed on each lap for the beat from West to the Home1 start/finish line.

Nathan completed the scheduled three laps, beached his Aero and had just enough time to reach the Race Hut and signal the finish of the other competitors.

At the finish line, John managed to squeeze in front of Sue who was closely followed by Bob.

The corrected finish times followed the actual finishing order on the water.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. John Dabbs and Leila Farmer (Bosun)
3. Sue Murray (Laser 4.7)
4. Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
5. Geoff Floyd (Solo with small sails)

Frostbite 1

Nathan made a flying start in his Aero 7 followed closely by Brian and Tash’s Bosun, and Liam in his full-sailed Laser, in a fresh easterly cold wind. Liam soon overtook the Bosun to take 2nd place in the pack with Nathan shooting off ahead to round Inlet buoy first, followed by Liam then Brian and Tash. Even with the course taking everyone up to the far reaches of the lake, Nathan made the first lap in 14½ minutes, followed by Liam 2 minutes later and Brian and Tash a minute after that. The order remained unchanged for the remaining 2 laps.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
3. Liam Routley (Laser Full)

Pursuit 7

For the second race the winds had freshened from a north easterly direction. Conditions were getting quite challenging with the strong gusts, causing Nathan to capsize after rounding the Pinkie buoy. Unfortunately Liam had to retire halfway through the race due to a broken outhaul. After a long game of chase Brian was still in front nearing the end with Nathan trying to catch up and only a few minutes to do so. Brian finished first with only a few boat lengths ahead of Nathan.

Results:

1. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)

Retired: Liam Routley (Laser Full)

Thanks go to Bob Sampson for running the race and to Mandy Pollard for the photos.

Roger’s Bowl 8

Five boats prepared to start into a damp Cornish mizzle, blown along by a reasonable SW breeze. The start had been delayed a few minutes to allow the safety boat to be fully operational. The two Club Bosuns had hoisted their small sails in anticipation of Roger and Bob taking out potential new recruits in their taster sessions, planned to follow on from this race. Roger’s Bosun was crewed by Linda with the other Club Bosun helmed by Teresa, crewed by Bob and Charlotte. The other starters were Harriet in her Laser 4.7, Nathan in his Aero 7, and John’s Bosun with full sails crewed by Leila.

Nathan and John crossed the start line virtually together. John reached Dam Green first, but Nathan made a more compact tack and stayed well in front for the rest of the race. A gust encouraged all boats along to Zebra and then to Inlet, together with first of several heavy showers.

After Inlet was Middle, then Pinkie, by which time, Nathan was 100 metres ahead of John, with Harriet, Roger and Teresa in pursuit. The row of fishermen on the Cornish bank demanded an abrupt gybe around Pinkie to stay clear of them, especially with the reduced water level currently in the lake.

Lap 2 (of 3) saw Nathan well out in front and the rain was still falling. When John finished Lap 2, Nathan was already half way round his final lap. Harriet was travelling very well as she completed this second lap.

Nathan lapped both Roger’s and Teresa’s Bosuns before he capsized within seconds of finishing his race. Teresa’s performance was very encouraging as she is new to sailing and this was quite a challenging introduction to helming in a race. After applying the relevant handicaps, the finishing order remained the same as the actual finishing sequence, although Nathan’s lead from John was reduced from 8 minutes (actual) to under 1 minute (corrected)

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. John Dabbs and Leila Farmer (Bosun – full sails)
3. Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7)
4. Roger Heasman and Linda Spiller (Bosun – small sails)
5. Teresa Cox and Bob Sampson & Charlotte Cox (Bosun – small sails)

Many thanks to Ian Chatterton, Officer of the Day.

Cup 9

Our first race day of meteorological autumn was immediately recognisable as ideal for water loving species such as ducks and sailors, wide brimmed hats an asset. Watery, grey, above and below with a gusty, indecisive wind, originally blowing heavy rain from the SW. Four boats took to the lake for Cup series 9.

Sadly, Dave Perrett’s Solo approached the first buoy from the wrong direction, meeting Liam Routley’s Laser and Brian Pollard’s Bosun, with Tash Routley as crew, coming the other way. Dave happily unravelled his course, but sadly not sufficiently to fully correct his mistake, thus causing his subsequent retirement.

Meanwhile Nathan Pollard, with 7sqm Aero rig, had already taken a strong lead, unthreatened throughout the race. Behind him Dave continued to enjoy his sail, unaware of his early error. Third and fourth place remained more in question, Brian not giving up on catching Liam, who held the Bosun off to the finish. The span of handicaps juggled final results:

1. Nathan Pollard
2. Brian Pollard & Tash Routley
3. Liam Routley
   Retired Dave Perrett

Commodore 7

Fleet numbers were boosted for Commodore 7 by the launch of John Dabb’s Bosun, Rachel Cope crewing. By now the rain had become less aggressive and the wind had surprisingly rotated a full compass point, causing a complete reversal of race direction. After a pre race capsize, Nathan was again first and fast away, to lead throughout. The fickle wind gave little opportunity for overtaking by strategic tacks, but although Dave had established second place during lap 2, jousting for position between Laser and Bosuns continued to the end of the race. Places after corrected times:

1. Nathan Pollard
2. Jointly Dave Perrett / Brian Pollard & Tash Routley
3. John Dabbs & Rachel Cope
4. Liam Routley

Thanks for officiating to Linda Spiller and to Jenny Routley, photographer.

Roger’s Bowl 7

The weather was unpredictable and, due to strong gusts, a compact course was set.  Four boats bravely took to the water and Nathan Pollard in his Aero 5 was first over the start.  John Dabbs and Leila Farmer in the Bosun, in 2nd place, couldn’t quite make Zebra in a single tack and had to double-tack to get round the mark, causing the following two boats to take avoiding manoeuvres.  Linda Spiller in her Laser 4.7 retired after Inlet and unfortunately Geoff Floyd in his Solo capsized before Middle and also decided to retire.  John/Leila completed the first lap, then decided to retire.

The course was shortened, with Nathan the only one to finish the two laps.

1. Nathan (Aero 5)
   Retired: Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7), Geoff Floyd (Solo), John Dabbs and Leila Farmer (Bosun)

Thanks to Tom from SWLT for providing effective safety boat cover and Louise and Colin for Officer of the Day.

Sailboat 7

For the first race, the winds were changeable and, although gusty, much lighter than forecast with little rain.  James Pollard in his Laser Radial was first over the start, followed by Nathan Pollard in his Aero 5.  Nathan quickly built a substantial lead on the first lap, which he maintained for the rest of the race.  Liam Routley in his Laser Radial changed places with Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley in their Bosun on lap 2.  Increasing winds allowed Brian and Natasha to reclaim their position on the final lap.  With handicaps applied the results were as follows:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
3. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)
4. James Pollard (Laser Radial)
5. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)
   Retired: Ollie Williamson (Aero 5)

Pursuit 6

In this pursuit race the winds were gusty with heavy showers.  Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley were first to start in their Bosun, favourable winds allowing them to increase their lead early on.  With not the best of starts, John Dabbs and Linda Spiller in their Bosun were next to over the line.  Twenty minutes in and the wind dropped and the heavens opened.  James Pollard in his Laser Radial overtook Liam Routley also in a Laser Radial and then John Dabbs and Linda Spiller.  Nathan Pollard in his Aero 5 was last to start, overtook Ollie Williamson in his Aero 5, then Liam Routley just before the finish.  At the end of the pursuit the positions were:

1. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)
2. James Pollard (Laser Radial)
3. John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
4. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
5. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)
6. Ollie Williamson (Aero 5)

Thanks to Officers of the Day, Louise and Colin Witchell, and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Rogers Bowl 6

Five boats got to the start line, the two Bosuns having novice racing crews.

Apart from the Bosuns, the remaining boats were Nathan Pollards RS Aero with a 5 metre sail and the two lasers of Linda Spiller and Harriet Cox, each sporting a radial size sail.

Whilst the lake from the shore looked welcoming, it was anything but with nasty squals dashing across the water.

Nathan, Linda, and Roger (in the Club Bosun and crewed by Chris Cameron) crossed the start line almost at the same time, however Nathan was soon putting a lot of water between himself and the other boats and Linda also soon settled into second place.

Meanwhile John Dabbs in his Bosun (crewed by Harriets mum Teresa), and Harriet got off to a slightly slower start.

As the race progressed it became clear that Nathan and Linda were well established in first and second places and that Harriet was happy to stay at the back to learn the race course. The same could not be said of the two bosuns, as whilst initially Roger and Chris managed to put some distance between themselves and Jon and Teresa, a couple of errors by the lead Bosun allowed the Dabbs boat to gain ground and especially at inlet on the second lap things got tight.

Subsequently though status quo was restored and the final handicap finish positions played out as the boat finished on the water.

1. Nathan Pollard (RS Aero 5)
2. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
3. Roger Heasman and Chris Cameron (Bosun)
4. John Dabbs and Teresa Cox (Bosun)
5. Harriet Cox (Laser Radial)

Egg Cup 9

Linda Spiller had to leave early and so four dinghies started the second race. Once again Nathan Pollard got the best start, with Roger and Chris in the club bosun getting away second, John Dabbs and Teresa third in Johns Bosun and Harriet in the Laser 4^th.

By the time Nathan was heading back down the course from Pinkie, Harriet had managed to pass Johns Bosun and was chasing down the club Bosun.  There were a couple of slightly controversial encounters when Harriet called for Roger to keep clear and then at Pinkie buoy when Harriet called for water right on the buoy.

However any further clashes were stopped when the club Bosuns mainsheet system parted company.

The race from then on became a close contest with the three remaining boats, as both Harriet and John Dabbs worked hard to make up ground on Nathan. Unfortunately Harriet got a huge wind gust as she was tacking round inlet buoy and although she did exceptionally well not to capsize, she lost ground to Nathan and John.

1. Nathan Pollard (RS Aero 5)
2. John Dabbs and Teresa Cox (Bosun)
3. Harriet Cox (Laser Radial)
   Retired: Roger Heasman and Chris Cameron (Bosun)

Tamar 8

James Pollard, a rare visitor these days, took over his brother’s Aero and, in the very light south easterly winds, put up a 9 sail. He was only fourth over the start line but was already leading at the first buoy, Dam Green, and the rest of the fleet never saw him again. The real tussle in the race was between Jane Anderson’s Laser Radial and the Solos of Dave Perrett and Adam Hilton. The Hilton Solo led the threesome early on but was replaced by Jane Anderson and then for a while by Dave Perrett who spoilt his race by rounding Home 2 rather than Zebra and having to retire. The course went as far north as Far buoy and one lap took James Pollard more than half an hour; the last boat closer to fifty minutes.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
2. James Pollard (Aero 9)
3. Adam Hilton (Solo)
4. Paul Anderson (Laser Radial)
5. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate)
   Retired: Dave Perrett (Solo)

Commodore 6

In such light and unpredictable winds timing the run to the start was problematic; Jane Anderson and Adam Hilton got over too early and had to return. However the Anderson Laser was leading at the first buoy. Linda Spiller was never far away and led for a spell on the second lap of this radically shortened course. But all the boats were close together even if their helms could not agree on which direction the ‘wind’ was coming from or which tack was the more advantageous.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
2. Adam Hilton (Solo)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
4. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate))

Thanks were given to Nathan Pollard and Liam Routley for officiating, and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.