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.

Sailboat 3

Nathan Pollard’s Aero with its nine square meters of sail and modern hydrodynamic hull managed to keep moving most of the time despite there being only the tiniest breaths of wind but even he, first over the start line and well away when others were still trying to begin their races, took 55 minutes to complete one lap! Jane Anderson finished the lap a mere six minutes behind him – the handicap giving her victory – despite having only a Radial sail on her Laser. On the way to the top of the Lake there were a variety of leaders; the Anderson Laser, Dave Perrett’s Solo at Middle, Nathan Pollard at Pinky.

1. Jane Anderson(Laser Radial)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 9)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. Adam Hilton (Solo)
5. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Graduate)

Barnwell 4

Vicki Duncalf’s Topper joined the fleet while the Solos left it and it was Vicki Duncalf who found an unexpected breath of wind and crossed the start line first but, alas, before the horn had blown. She had to return and the Pollard Aero was the first legal starter and the first around the first buoy, never subsequently headed, completing the first lap in a mere 25 minutes! Jane Anderson’s Laser Radial followed but was far enough behind at the end of two laps for the handicap to give the victory to the Aero. The pace was too slow for the Pollard/ Routley Graduate and the Ducalf Topper; they retired after one lap.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 9)
2. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
   Retired: Vicki Duncalf (Topper), Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Graduate)

Grateful thanks were extended to Bob Sampson, Officer of the Day and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Barnwell 4

The day started off with a moderate-strong breeze with strong gust coming from the west. On the start line the wind faltered for some, meaning the Aero of Nathan Pollard and the Bosun of David and Roger were late to the line after the starting horn whilst the Aero of Bob Sampson flying his 5 rig and Dave Perrett in his Solo were first across the line. Nathan soon overtook both Dave then Bob on the first leg up to the west buoy and flew away down to the far buoy where the winds dropped due to a more shelter north westerly wind but the gusts stayed unpredictable. Luckily the course had accounted for this by allowing the sailors to safely tack around the buoy rather than gybe, though there were still two gybes on the following two buoys where some found the need to ‘granny tack’ instead. For the further two laps the order stayed the same: Nathan, Bob, Dave and David + Roger.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 6)
2. Bob Sampson (Aero 5)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. David Dewhurst and Roger Heasman (Bosun)

Pursuit 2

It was time again for another pursuit race where sailors start at different times depending on their boats handicap as well as personal handicaps, and finish at the same time. Roger took over the helm from David in the Bosun and started first on the same course. Bob started next, then shortly after Dave with Nathan starting further behind. It only took 1 lap of a stronger wind for Nathan to overtake all, though towards the end of this first lap the Aero was following a Bosun that was sitting rather low in the water! They had taken on water after a dodgy tack in inlet, forcing them to retire from the race leaving just Bob and Nathan.

Results:

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 6)
2. Bob Sampson (Aero 5)
   Retired: Roger Heasman and David Dewhurst (Bosun)

Thanks go to Race officers and Safetyboat crew Brian Pollard and Tash Routley, who also took the photos.

Cup 3

Brian Pollard and Tash Routley were not daunted by the forecast south-easterly winds of force four gusting to six, which turned up at Tamar Lake perhaps a little stronger. They raced with normal sized sails on the yellow-hulled Pollard Bosun. Nathan Pollard was more circumspect. He flew the smallest available sail on his Aero, a 5, and yet still zipped about the Lake at alarming speeds. Adam Hilton and Dave Perrett were also cautious; their Bosun showed long stretches of unused mast and boom that the cut down mainsail had no need of. Their ride was as comfortable as the unpredictable (in timing, strength and direction) gusts permitted.

The Pollard Aero shot ahead straight from the start and was the first boat around Dam Green buoy. It was followed by the Pollard/Routley Bosun . A fishing competition had rendered the Devon bank of the Lake off-limits and so the course took off towards West, before jinking back to Home 2 and making a final northward passage to Pinky.

The Aero 5 led throughout with the full-sized sail Bosun second and the cut-down sail Bosun third. Laps were taking about twelve minutes which made the three lap race somewhat short of of the aimed for hour!

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

Tamar 3

The same three boats took the start with the same result. The Nathan Pollard Aero took off in the lead, followed by the Pollard/Routley Bosun and then the Hilton/Perrett sister Bosun which retired shortly after the start.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
   Retired: Adam Hilton and Dave Perrett (Bosun)

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

Barnwell 3

The weather forecast of probable lack of useful wind and certain presence of heavy showers attracted few would-be sailors on this May Bank Holiday weekend.  However, the four who launched were rewarded with sufficient breeze over large enough areas of the lake, for long enough, to result in an interesting race.

First a jostle to round the first mark.  Bob Sampson led in his brand-new Aero, followed by Robin Spiller’s Solo, then the two Bosuns of Brian Pollard with crew Tash Routley and Roger Heasman, sailing single handed.

Bob maintained his initial lead throughout the first lap, but meanwhile second place passed from Robin to Brian to Roger.  Starting lap 2, three boats gradually grouped until side by side, but sadly the two handed Bosun found itself left further behind in still water.

By the top of the lake the Solo had slipped clear, establishing a strong lead and making steady progress to the race finish.  Behind it those attempting to round buoys were less fortunate, finding the breeze more fickle and challenging.  Roger found the quickest exit from West White to finish second, followed by Bob then Brian and Tash.

Result after handicaps applied to times:

1. Robin Spiller (Streaker)
2. Roger Heasman (Bosun)
3. Brian Pollard & Tash Routley (Bosun)
4. Bob Sampson (Aero 6)

The second race was cancelled due to lack of wind.

Thanks to Linda Spiller, Officer of the Day

Cup 2

Nathan Pollard, with nine square metres of sail on his Aero, was first away, first around Dam Green and first from then on. He needed all that canvas in winds which were very light and very variable in strength and direction. It was not at all clear who would round the first buoy next, but in the end the Solo of Robin Spiller was just beaten by the last boat to cross the start line, the Solo of Adam Hilton. The little fleet set off up the Lake with the gentlest of breezes behind it, the Solos being followed by Linda Spiller’s Laser (Full) and the Bosun of Roger Heasman and Dave Perrett. At Pinky all changed. Linda Spiller emerged leading the bunch with the Bosun next and with Robin Spiller leading the Solos.

By the end of the first lap Linda Spiller’s second place on the water was assured with a six minute lead over the Bosun. The second lap saw slightly stronger winds, with, for example, Nathan Pollard’s Aero about five minutes quicker making the second circuit. The only change to the order was Adam Hilton’s Solo managing to get past the Heasman/Perrett Bosun. When the handicaps were applied it emerged that Nathan Pollards’ Aero had not been far enough ahead of Linda Spiller’s Laser nor had the lead Solo got enough advantage over the Bosun to claim third place.

1. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 9)
3. Roger Heasman and Dave Perrett (Bosun)
4. Adam Hilton (Solo)
5. Robin Spiller (Solo)

There was too little wind for a second race.

Grateful thanks were extended to Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley in the safety boat, to Jane Anderson, Officer of the Day and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Tamar 2

Jane Anderson, coaxing motion from her Topper in almost non-existent south-easterly winds, crossed the start line first but soon Nathan Pollard’s Aero 7 had overtaken and was first to round Dam Green and set off to Zebra. Vicki Duncalf, also in a Topper, snapped at the Anderson heels but didn’t manage to round the first buoy ahead. For Bob Sampson it was the debut for his brand new Aero. He had been very cautious in his choice of sail; picking the smallest, a 5, was not a winning strategy. After a slow start he was last around Dam Green but on the way to Zebra he was able to rapidly catch and pass the two Toppers. His advantage was not permanent; after Inlet Jane Anderson caught up and passed him on the way to Middle. At times there were places on the Lake where there was no wind at all. Vicki Duncalf was becalmed and fell back, retiring at the end of lap 1. Bob Sampson was caught later on and did not complete lap 2.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Jane Anderson(Topper)
   Retired: Vicki Duncalf (Topper), Bob Sampson (Aero 5)

Pursuit 1

Clouds came over; the wind got up and the start was redirected towards Zebra. The two Toppers started first and Jane Anderson led for the first three laps of this 68 minute pursuit race. Nathan Pollard, starting 15 minutes later, took almost an hour to catch up but eventually triumphed.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Jane Anderson (Topper)
3. Bob Sampson (Aero 5)
4. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
5. David Dewhurst and Roger Heasman (Bosun)

Many thanks were extended to Brian Pollard and Tash Routley in the safety boat, to Adam Hilton, Officer of the Day and to the photographers, Tash Routley and Mandy Pollard.

Frostbite 7

Liam Routley in the Laser Radial was the first to cross the start line with Vicki Duncalf’s Topper second. The winds were racing over the Dam from the south with vicious gusts blackening the Lake waters. Everyone had hoisted the smallest sails available to them but there were nonetheless several capsizes during the race. Dave Perrett’s Solo and Harriet Cox’s Laser 4.7 followed the leaders round Dam Green, the first buoy, and as the lap continued went past the little Topper which had slipped to last at the end of the first lap. However by the end of the second various capsizes and other mishaps had enabled Vicki to get up to fourth place behind the consistent third placed Bosun of Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley. At the front Dave Perrett’s small-sailed Solo continually threatened to catch Liam Routley’s Laser but did not do so until rigging problems on the Laser put Dave ahead on the last tack of the last lap. The handicap rewarded Vicki Duncalf’s efforts but demoted Dave Perrett.

1. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
2. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)
5. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
6. Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7)

Pursuit 7

Three hardy helms signed on and were rewarded with gentler winds. The sixty minutes of a Pursuit race were cut to thirty. Harriet Cox started first with the Pollard Bosun starting a minute later and Dave Perrett following after two and a half minutes. The Solo quickly over-hauled the Bosun.

1. Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7)
2. Dave Perrett (Solo)
3. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)

Grateful thanks were given to Adam Hilton, Officer of the Day, and to Bob Sampson and Nathan Pollard in the safety boat.

Frostbite 6

Dave Perrett crossed the starting line in a clear first place and began the long beat to West White Buoy, the first mark of the course. His Solo was flying a cut down sail because the north westerly winds were viciously strong and gusty, enough for one competitor to have taken to the water only to scuttle back to the shore before the race had even started. The Perrett Solo was followed by Bob Sampson and, at a distance, Linda Spiller, both in Lasers equipped with their smallest 4.7 sails. Linda had also considered retiring but gamely took on the elements and raced.

Bob Sampson reached West in first place, his early tack towards the Cornwall bank more advantageous than Dave Perrett’s long beat towards the Devon Inlet. The three boats set off up the Lake in close formation. Leaving Pinkie, the northernmost buoy, to starboard meant a distinctly risky gibe. Granny tacks were sometimes preferred. The return towards the Dam with the wind behind them was conducted bows raised on the plane and at great speed; indeed laps were only taking ten minutes. Everyone managed not to capsize, although Bob Sampson had the end of his boom in the water a couple of times and only just saved the boat from overturning. Once safely on shore, the three competitors professed relief that Vicki Duncalf, Officer of the Day, had shortened the race from four laps to three.

1. Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7)
2. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
   DNS: Adam Hilton (Solo)

With the winds continuing to strengthen the second race was not run.

Grateful thanks were given to Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley in the safety boat and to Vicki Duncalf, Officer of the Day.

Roger’s Bowl 15

It had rained all morning and it was cold but the northwesterlies were forecast to be gentle and the rain to go away. With this prospect a dozen club members came to the Lake and eight boats were signed on for the race. Just when all the sail choices had been made, a squall came over with powerful gusts which turned the placid waters of the Lake into an angry sea. A couple of helms rapidly put up smaller sails and another contemplated staying ashore.

But the squall passed, the rain stopped and the agreeably gentle and ungusty northwesterlies returned.

Dave Perrett (OOD and safety boat assistant to Brian Pollard) set an interesting course. A Home 2 starting line was followed by a beat to West White, some running to Zebra and Dam Green and another beat to Pinkie, which, if your boat pointed very high, could be reached in two tacks. The lap ended with a trip back to Inlet, which, in the familiar Inlet way, featured very uncertain winds indeed.

Bob Sampson’s little blue Topper crossed the starting line first with Nathan Pollard’s Aero 6 second and Sue Murray’s Laser 4.7 next. The Aero and then Adam Hilton’s Solo had started from the windward end of the line and that proved advantageous, the two boats reaching West in front. The rest of the fleet followed in the order Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7), John Dabbs with Linda Spiller in the Bosun, Rob Spiller with a small sail on his Solo and Roger Heasman with Teresa Cox in a reduced canvas club Bosun.

Nathan’s Aero was harassed by Adam’s Solo throughout the first lap but course confusion put Adam the wrong side of Home 2 at the beginning of lap 2. Sue Murray had in any case been catching him and did overtake at Inlet. On lap 3 a new squall made sailing very uncomfortable, capsizing Nathan’s Aero. It was also cold – Rob retiring his Solo to go and get warm. Harriet lost time putting right a course mistake. At the finish Nathan wasn’t far enough ahead for Sue’s 1216 handicap not to trump his 1099.

1. Sue Murray (Laser 4.7)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 6)
3. Bob Sampson (Topper)
4. John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
5. Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7)
6. Roger Heasman and Teresa Cox (Bosun)
   Retired: Adam Hilton (Solo), Rob Spiller (Solo)

Many thanks to Brian Pollard and Dave Perrett who together ran both the safety boat and the race hut.