Tamar 6

Twin boats dominated a race run in very light easterly winds. The Aero 7s led, Bob Sampson’s off the start but Nathan Pollard’s by the third buoy. Jane Anderson’s Laser Radial trounced Linda Spiller’s. Anderson had a great start, Spiller a terrible one. The Solos of Dave Perrett and Adam Hilton were never far apart, Perrett’s generally leading until he retired at the end of lap one. The Pollard/Routley Bosun and the Liam Routley Laser Full were the non-conforming singletons.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
3. Adam Hilton (Solo)
4. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
5. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
6. Bob Sampson (Aero 7)
7. Liam Routley (Laser Full)
   Retired: Dave Perrett (Solo)

Barnwell 7

The winds had turned right round to the northwest and strengthened. The Solo twins had gone but there was now a Bosun pair, John Dabbs joining the race with Adam Hilton as crew but Brian Pollard/Tash Routley leading the Bosuns once they had recovered from a highly congested start. Bob Sampson led away and Nathan Pollard took some time to catch him. Meanwhile Liam Routley’s Laser held a very creditable second place. However the handicap demoted him to fourth with the Radial twins – Linda Spiller leading Jane Anderson – taking second and third places. Vicki Duncalf’s Topper mainsheet malfunctioned and she limped home with no help from the safety boat.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
3. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
4. Liam Routley (Laser Full)
5. Bob Sampson (Aero 7)
6. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
7. John Dabbs and Adam Hilton (Bosun)
   Retired: Vicki Duncalf (Topper)

Grateful thanks were offered to Robin Spiller for running the races and to Mandy Pollard who took the photos.

Midweek Mug 11

Nine boats took the start! Bob and Nathan and Sue and Roger and Rob and Geoff and (new) Dave and Colin with Louise and John D with Adam. It was windy which made the heat comfortable but meant 5s on the Aeros, a 4.7 for Sue and small sails for Rob and the Witchells. The Aeros were neck and neck at the start, but Bob had a rig malfunction; putting it right caused a capsize and let Nathan get away not to be seen again. Bob had Sue snapping at his heels and the John D Bosun not far behind. Roger’s Miracle was ill-behaved, throwing him in the water before he’d left the pontoon and then again when the goose neck failed to keep the boom in place. He retired as did Robin when the Solo proved too uncomfortable and then Geoff too, the Solo too demanding in the winds. Already at the end of the second of four laps the finishing order was established; the Aeros in front, Sue’s 4.7 following closely enough to easily beat Bob when the handicaps were applied; John Dabbs’ Bosun gradually falling back, Dave Dewhurst keeping well up in Bob’s Laser Radial, the Witchells bringing up the rear.

Results

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. Sue Murray (Laser 4.7)
3. John Dabbs and Adam Hilton (Bosun)
4. Bob Sampson (Aero 5)
5. Dave Dewhurst (Laser Radial)
6. Colin and Louise Whitchell (Bosun)
   Retired: Roger Heasman (Miracle), Robin Spiller (Solo), Geoff Floyd (Solo)

Linda Spiller ran the race and took photos. Thanks, Linda

Commodore 1

All three boats got off to a great start in the brisk easterly winds. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5) took the lead at the first mark followed by Brian Pollard and Tash Routley and Adam Hilton with Liam Routley in the two Bosuns. By the end of the first lap Nathan had extended his lead with the Pollard/Routley Bosun second and the other Bosun, with its smaller mainsail, bringing up the rear. With powerful gusts descending upon everyone the lap times for the Aero were roughly 13 minutes. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley had a gallant sail and came in second; the other Bosun had a few difficulties rounding Inlet buoy which delayed it.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
3. Adam Hilton and Liam Routley (Bosun)

Pursuit 4

Vicki Duncalf in her Topper set off first with Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7) 7 minutes later. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun) started two minutes after that, and last speedy Nathan Pollard (Aero 5), fifteen minutes after the Topper so with quite a chase to finish in front.

After lap 1 Vicki Duncalf was well ahead of Bob Sampson and managing the brisk winds very ably. By the end of lap 2, however, the Laser was only a few metres behind; the Bosun was keeping a steady pace and Nathan Pollard was streaking across the water, determined to catch up.

By the middle of lap 3 Bob Sampson had overtaken Vicki Duncalf while Nathan Pollard headed the Bosun and the Topper but still at the finish Bob Sampson was in front!

Results:

1. Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
3. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
4. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)

Many thanks to Jane Anderson for running the races.

Midweek Mug 10

The northwesterlies had abandoned Pinkie which was glassy and so the course was very short, going to West but no further north than Middle and avoiding the equally flat calm Inlet. Rob Spiller got his Solo over the line first and proceeded in a stately manner towards Zebra. As it turned out the winds freshened with each mini-lap to such an extent that Linda Spiller could be seen, after the race was done, planing across the Middle of the Lake for the pure joy of it. She had followed her husband across the start line and soon slipped past him, finishing with a three and a half minute advantage over the Solo. John Dabbs with Leila Farmer were next to start and finish in the Bosun with Louise and Colin Witchell’s Bosun following on. Applying the handicaps made no change to the order on the water. The Commodore, the official OOD, had persuaded Roger to Heasman to start the race and spent a couple of laps following the race in his Solo.

1. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
2. Robin Spiller (Solo)
3. John Dabbs and Leila Farmer (Bosun)
4. Louise and Colin Witchell (Bosun)

Many thanks to Roger Heasman who started the race, thus enabling the designated OOD to enjoy getting on the water.

Midweek Mug 9

8 sailors took to the water to do 4 laps of the Tamar Lake under an overcast sky with a brisk westerly wind.

At race start Linda Spiller in her Laser with the small 4.7 sail got away first followed closely by Bob Sampson in his RS Aero sporting the smallest 5 metre sail. Next came John Dabbs in his Bosun crewed by Robin Spiller, closely bunched with Geoff Floyd in his Solo sorting a small sail, Sue Murray in her Laser with small 4.7 sail. Then came Ian Chatterton sailing his Enterprise single handed and Colin and Louise Witchell in their Bosun with the small mainsail.

(Dave Dewhurst, having his first race/sail in Bob Sampson’s Laser with the 4.7 rig got a good start, but unfortunately he started on the port Devon side of the race pin and so had to be disqualified. )

Half way around the first lap, Bob Sampson had overtaken Linda Spiller and from then on was never headed. Gradually as the race progressed, Sue got closer and closer to Linda and on the 3rd lap moved into second. With Bob establishing an ever increasing lead and second and third decided, it was left to Geoff and John to fight for fourth. Geoff was doing really well, but unfortunately a rigging failure affected his performance and allowed John to just finish ahead of him.

Unfortunately Ian was also plagued with rigging failures and so finished some distance back. Being their first outing for the season Colin and Louise decided to give it best and retired after 2 laps.

Dave must be commended for sailing so well in the Laser 4.7 and would have finished 5th if it had not been for his start on the wrong side.

Results:

1. Bob Sampson (Aero 5)
2. Sue Murray (Laser 4.7)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
4. John Dabbs and Robin Spiller (Bosun)
5. Geoff Floyd (Solo)
6. Ian Chatterton (Solo)
   Disqualified: Dave Dewhurst (Laser 4.7)
   Retired: Colin and Louise Witchell (Bosun)

Sailboat 5

In a fresh north-westerly breeze Nathan Pollard (Aero 6) made the best start followed closely by Bob Sampson (Aero 5). All the boats made excellent progress and with a good plane coming back up the lake. Liam Routley (Laser Radial) looked extremely competent almost catching up to the Aeros. Liam caught Bob at the end of lap 2 and overtook him at Dam buoy, however later Bob did a fantastic plane too at the end of lap 3 and pulled away from Liam. It was good to see new member Rachel Wilson crewing in the club Bosun with Roger Heasman at the helm. Welcome Rachel.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 6)
2. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
3. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
4. Bob Sampson (Aero 5)
5. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)
6. Roger Heasman and Rachel Wilson (Bosun)
   Retired: David Dewhurst (Laser Pico)

Tamar 4

A reduced fleet started the second race with Brian and Tash making a superb start and forging a good lead towards the first buoy. Again, it was a good wind for planing from Pinkie buoy to the Dam buoy. Linda was heard squealing with joy or maybe terror! Liam caught Linda at Dam buoy and they sailed up the lake neck and neck with Liam well positioned on Linda’s windward side.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
3. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
4. Bob Sampson (Aero 5)
5. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)

Thanks go to the officer of the day Vicki Duncalf and Mandy Pollard for taking the photos.

Midweek Mug 8

Three determined members switched the race start to a slightly less frazzling 10.30am and were rewarded with a light but, by Lake standards, unusually consistent southeasterly breeze which powered a three lap race in a little over half an hour. Helms were sitting comfortably on the gunwale without having to lean out very far. Adam Hilton’s Solo led off towards the Dam and was never subsequently headed although for a couple of laps Geoff Floyd’s sister Solo remained in striking distance with Ian Chatterton’s Enterprise close behind. On the run up to the finish Geoff’s Solo lost its wind and was overtaken by the Ent.

1. Adam Hilton (Solo)
2. Ian Chatterton (Enterprise)
3. Geoff Floyd (Solo)

Many thanks to Roger Heasman who took time off from doing miraculous things to his Miracle and started the race, thus enabling Ian C, the designated OOD, to get in his boat and race.

Cup 5

Linda Spiller’s Laser was the first boat to cross the line in super-light, very fickle breezes. The fleet consisted of paired boats, the other Laser being Jane Anderson’s although with a smaller Radial sail. There were two Solos; Robin Spiller’s and Adam Hilton’s; and two Bosuns; Brian Pollard with regular crew Tash Routley and John Dabbs with new member Rachel Wilson. Jane Anderson’s handicap advantage gave her the victory over Linda Spiller. Robin Spiller was easily the lead Solo long before Adam Hilton misread the course and retired. The Dabbs/ Wilson Bosun eventually won the double-hader tussle.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
2. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
3. Robin Spiller (Solo)
4. John Dabbs and Rachel Wilson (Bosun)
5. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
   Retired: Adam Hilton (Solo)

Grateful thanks were extended to Roger Heasman, Officer of the Day and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Commodore 3

Bob Sampson’s Aero 6 was the first to cross a start line drenched in sunshine but with very little wind. He was followed by the other Aero in the race, Nathan Pollard’s flying a number 9 sail and this pair were still at the front at the first buoy, Dam Green. But the fickle breaths of air abandoned Bob Sampson and several boats went past. Progress was so slow that the race was shortened to one lap, which took Nathan Pollard forty one minutes. He was being quite closely followed at the end by Adam Hilton’s Solo and Jane Anderson’s Laser Radial. They benefitted when the handicaps were applied.

1. Jane Anderson(Laser Radial)
2. Adam Hilton (Solo)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
4. Nathan Pollard (Aero 9)
5. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
6. Bob Sampson (Aero 6)
7. Robin Spiller (Solo)
8. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)

Barnwell 5

This race had slightly more wind, enough for two laps, but the first was still very slow and three helms gave up the struggle and retired. Nathan Pollard started first but was soon in close company with Linda Spiller and Jane Anderson. It was not until the top of the course that he was able to build up a lead and even at the finish it was not enough, at about six minutes over Jane Anderson’ Laser Radial, to overcome the Aero 9’s handicap disadvantage.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 9)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
4. Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
5. Bob Sampson (Aero 6)
   Retired: Adam Hilton (Solo), Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun), Robin Spiller (Solo)

Grateful thanks were extended to John Dabbs, Officer of the Day and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Tamar 4

With a fresh north-westerly wind at Tamar Lake, five boats set sail for the fourth race in the Tamar Cup series. It was close racing to begin with, but with a range of different boats and sail sizes they soon spread out. Despite a challenging course, with a long upwind stretch and three gybes to contend with, the race was incident free, although a few close shaves. Nathan Pollard, in an Aero 7, flew across the start line in first position and gradually extended a massive lead by the end of the race. The rest of the fleet jostled for position, eventually Bob Sampson and Liam Routley in Lasers (carrying different sail sizes) finished second and third, with the slower boats of bringing up the rear though the handicaps had advanced Jane’s Topper in the final positions.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Jane Anderson (Topper)
3. Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
4. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
5. Liam Routley (Laser Full)

Cup 4

The conditions were becoming more tricky for the afternoon race so a course change removed the gybes and reduced the length of the upwind leg. The same lineup of boats took part, this time tightly packed over the start line and in close formation to the first buoy. All the participants coped admirably with the gusts and the finishing order was similar to the first race along with the final positions.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
3. Jane Anderson (Topper)
4. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
5. Liam Routley (Laser Full)

Thanks go to the Officer of the day Dave Perrett and Mandy Pollard for taking the photos.