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.

Roger’s Bowl 5

The winds were south-easterly by the Dam and north-easterly further up the Lake. They were strong enough for the Laser sailors (Murray, Spiller) to go out with 4.7s and the Solo sailors (Perrett, Floyd) to hoist small sails. The Dabbs/Hilton Bosun had a reef in the mainsail. Nathan Pollard, on the other hand, wooshed along with a Seven on his Aero, leading every lap and finishing nearly ten minutes before the second boat, Sue Murray’s. Dave Perrett had held that second slot for three of the four laps but Sue Murray, after a slow start, overtake him near the end. The handicap lifted the Spiller Laser above him as well.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Sue Murray (Laser 4.7)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
4. Dave Perrett (Solo)
5. John Dabbs and Adam Hilton (Bosun)
6. Geoff Floyd (Solo)

It being a distinctly cool and not terribly attractive afternoon the second race was not run.

Many thanks to Robin Spiller who manned the race hut.

Sailboat 6

It was not so much the strength of the wind but the brutality of the gusts which made sailing difficult. Dave Perrett and Adam Hilton abandoned their Solos and put small sails on a Bosun as did Brian Pollard and Tash Routley. Nathan Pollard’s Aero flew a 6; rare visitor Steve Axford had a Radial on his Laser, Liam Routley also. The Aero got off well as did the Bosuns, the Hilton/Perrett boat leading its Pollard/Routley sister until Inlet where they changed places after a difficult gibe. Liam Routley was dealing admirably with the conditions but mistook the course a couple of times and retired. Nathan Pollard finished with a four minute lead over Steve Axford.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
3. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)
4. Adam Hilton and Dave Perrett (Solo)
   Retired: Liam Routley (Laser Radial)

Cup 8

The front of this race looked the same with Steve Axford chasing Nathan Pollard. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley held an admirable third place throughout. Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7) in fourth had trouble rounding Dam Green, her boom hitting the boy. A penalty turn in these conditions was hazardous and what caused her disqualification was that her boom, coming across at the end of the turn, hit the buoy again! Linda Spiller retired on the second lap. Liam Routley kept his Radial under control and finished in fourth. An exhausting day was had by all!

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 6)
2. Steve Axford (Laser Radial)
3. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun)
4. Liam Routley (Laser Radial)
   Retired: Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
   Disqualified: Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7)

Many thanks were extended to the Officer of the Day, Vicki Duncalf, and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Roger’s Bowl 4

The recent super-light winds persisted, coming and going from different directions with familiar unpredictability. However grey skies meant the fleet was not roasted as it edged around the short course.

The Commodore was over the line for the first start and was not the only one. The restart was legal however and the Hilton Solo managed to get to Dam Green first. Fronting the fleet meant clear air and the Solo built up a substantial lead, only to squander it stuck in irons at Dam Green at the beginning of the second lap. Nathan Pollard’s Aero 7 and Dave Perrett’s Solo went past. The two Solos were very close at Home 2 but Adam Hilton’s was ahead at West White and stayed there but didn’t dent the Aero’s good-sized lead on lap 2. Ian Chatterton’s Enterprise was fourth at the end of each lap, the Dabbs/Spiller Bosun fifth. The luck of the draw gave Nathan Pollard the weaker puffs of wind on the third lap reach back to the start line and his lead was reduced. The handicap gave the Commodore victory over the Vice.

1. Adam Hilton (Solo)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
5. Ian Chatterton (Enterprise)

Egg Cup 7

Not everyone was keen to drift around the course again but fortunately Bob Sampson added himself to make it a race of two Bosuns and a Solo. In these winds the Bosuns were no match for the Solo which started first and crept away into the distance. Bob Sampson got the Club Bosun ahead around Dam Green but then lost what wind he had had so that John Dabbs was able to pull away and was second at the end of lap 1. But not at the end of lap 2.

1. Adam Hilton (Solo)
2. Bob Sampson (Bosun)
3. John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)

Many thanks to Geoff Floyd, Officer of the Day.

Commodore 5

Sometimes there was no wind and the boats waited for the next puff which would come from different directions in different parts of the Lake. Despite this, two epic battles carried on throughout the race. At the front Jane Anderson, risking a full-sized sail on her Laser in these super-light winds, and Nathan Pollard, sailing his Aero 7 but regretting not yet having his Aero 9, each led at different times, with the Laser finishing triumphant. In mid-field Linda Spiller (Laser Radial) and Dave Perrett (Solo) also exchanged places often with the Solo in front at the end. Paul Anderson had the misfortune to drift windless onto the first buoy and after performing his penalty turn was never able to catch up. For Brian Pollard, with Rachel Cope in the Bosun, there was too little wind to race.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Full)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
5. Paul Anderson (Laser Radial)
   Retired: Brian Pollard and Rachel Cope (Bosun)

Pursuit 5

In this Pursuit race Brian Pollard and Rachel Cope’s Bosun started first in very little wind and had the misfortune to be overtaken by the chasing pack which had caught a little gust. As a result the Dabbs Bosun was first around the first buoy with Dave Perrett’s Solo second. The single-handers took over; Dave Perrett’s Solo leading laps one and two but being caught by Jane Anderson’s Laser and Nathan Pollard’s Aero in the dying moments of the race.

1. Jane Anderson (Laser Full)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo
4. Brian Pollard and Rachel Cope (Bosun)
   Retired: John Dabbs (Bosun), Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)

Many thanks were extended to the Officer of the Day, Adam Hilton, and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Roger’s Bowl 3

Eight boats raced on a pleasant day of light winds. John Dabbs’ course had a Home 2 start line and Linda Spiller’s Laser, sporting a big sail, was the first to cross it, followed by Nathan Pollard (Aero 5) and Sue Murray (Laser Radial). But on the long run down from Pinkie to Dam Green two of the Solos, Dave Perrett’s and Adam Hilton’s, overtook the Aero 5; the result of Solos having 8.4 square meters of sail while this Aero sail has 5. Dave Perrett remained securely in third place, his distance behind Sue Murray not varying a great deal. On the other hand the winner of the Hilton/Pollard contest was never certain, sometimes the Aero’s lightness (33kilos as against a Solo’s 70kg) proving advantageous.

Linda Spiller might have finished more than thirty seconds ahead of Sue Murray if she hadn’t had to disentangle herself from various canoeists, a problem others also had to tackle. Geoff Floyd kept his Solo clear of the Heasman/Sampson Bosun, finishing each of the three laps in sixth place but Rob Spiller’s was more in danger from the Bosun until he retired it.

1. Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
2. Dave Perrett (Solo)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
4. Adam Hilton (Solo)
5. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
6. Geoff Floyd (Solo)
7. Roger Heasman and Bob Sampson (Bosun)
   Retired: Robin Spiller (Solo)

Egg Cup 6

The winds were slightly stronger and the start was moved to the regular line, near side. However most of the reduced fleet crossed it on the far side so the race had to be restarted. On the second attempt Dave Perrett and Nathan Pollard crossed first; Geoff Floyd and Linda Spiller equally inseparable in second. This time Nathan was able to get away and led each lap, with Dave Perrett firmly in second until the third lap when Linda Spiller climbed past. The handicap shoved her down again.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. Dave Perrett (Solo)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
4. Geoff Floyd (Solo)

Many thanks to John Dabbs, Officer of the Day.