Roger’s Bowl 2

There were irregular Wednesday sailors at the Lake. Nathan Pollard went out in his Aero, having hoisted a no. 5 sail, not so much because of the brisk northwesterly winds (the Solos and Enterprise flew small sails) as in order not to get too far in front of the rest of the fleet, an aim he failed to achieve. He finished eight minutes in front of second on the water, the Bosun of John Dabbs and Adam Hilton. The other rare Wednesday visitation was the Routley family. Liam kindly carried out a duty as Officer of the Day. Tash went out in Liam’s Laser with a borrowed 4.7 sail. She sailed both races, mentored by Linda Spiller in another 4.7 Laser. Geoff Floyd (Solo) started well, was up to second at the end of lap 1, but had slipped a place at the end. Ian Chatterton, impressive as ever taming a bucking Enterprise, even if it flew a small mainsail, started sixth but was up to fourth at the end, keeping the place when handicaps were applied.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. John Dabbs and Adam Hilton (Bosun)
3. Geoff Floyd (Solo)
4. Ian Chatterton (Enterprise)
5. Natasha Routley (Laser 4.7) and equal Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)
6. Robin Spiller (Solo)

Egg Cup 5

The fleet was reduced to four boats and Adam Hilton took over helming the Dabbs Bosun. Linda Spiller’s Laser 4.7 got away first but at the second buoy, Inlet, all the boats bunched up, the wind all but disappearing in the lee of the hill. Nathan Pollard’s Aero 5 emerged first around West White and led from then on, despite being even more seriously becalmed at Inlet on lap2 and allowing the Hilton/Dabbs Bosun, aided by a friendly gust, to do a lot of catching up. The Bosun finished only four minutes behind the Aero.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 5)
2. Adam Hilton and John Dabbs (Bosun)
3. Natasha Routley (Laser 4.7)
4. Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7)

Many thanks to Liam Routley, Officer of the Day.

Commodore 4

Peter O’Toole (Laser) chose to start on starboard tack from under a mercifully fisherman-free Devon bank and got away first. Another fast starter, Dave Perrett (Solo), followed. However Nathan Pollard in his Aero 7 soon took on a lead which he never relinquished. Clouds dominated the sky and the winds were light but consistent. A big fleet filled the Lake with sails.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)J
2. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. Peter O’Toole (Laser Full)
5. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
6. Adam Hilton (Solo)
7. Emma O’Toole (Laser Radial)
8. Ollie Williamson (Aero 7)
9. Liam Routley (Laser Full)
10. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate)

Not classified: Harriet Cox (Laser Radial)

Sailboat 5

Dave Perrett reproduced his good start but by the top of the Lake Nathan Pollard was leading again, followed this time by Ollie Williamson in another Aero 7. Peter O’Toole’s Laser led an ongoing tussle between Jane Anderson’s Laser Radial and the Solos of Dave Perrett and Adam Hilton. Jane came out ahead and Dave at the back of the trio after he clipped Pinkie buoy.  Next came a group of Laser Radials led by Emma O’Toole with Harriet Cox and Linda Spiller following. The handicaps demoted Ollie Williamson and promoted Jane Anderson to second.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)
3. Peter O’Toole (Laser Full)
4. Ollie Williamson (Aero 7)
5. Adam Hilton (Solo)
6. Dave Perrett (Solo)
7. Emma O’Toole (Laser Radial)
8. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
9. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
10. Liam Routley (Laser Full)
11. Robin Spiller (Solo)
12. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate)

Not classified: Harriet Cox (Laser Radial)

Many thanks to the Officer of the Day, Paul Anderson and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.

Roger’s Bowl 1

A brisk wind was coming straight down the Lake from slightly west of north. Robin Spiller’s Solo and Roger Heasman’s Bosun (Linda Spiller as crew) had small sails. John Dabbs and Leila Farmer had a reef in their Bosun’s mainsail. Linda Spiller had designed the course when she thought she was going to be OOD; it took in all the extremities of the Lake – Inlet, Far, West and Dam Green – and it took a good half hour to complete a lap even with plenty of propulsion. Getting to the top of the Lake required a lot of tacks; even getting to Inlet from the start line could involve eight or nine tacks and when you got to Inlet you found yourself near-becalmed because the buoy was so completely tucked into the lee of the hill.

John Dabbs timed his run to the start line perfectly and crossed at full speed. Rob Spiller was next but took a while to get going. Nonetheless he managed to round Inlet in front of the Dabbs/Farmer Bosun and was leading when he nearly forgot to go round Home 2 and did forget that the course went all the way to Far. The necessary extra water sailed meant the Bosun took the lead and kept it on the goose-winged run to West White. It was only at the beginning of the second lap, tacking to Inlet again, that Rob Spiller could retake the lead but he had a further setback – the tiller extension parting ways with the tiller – and was overtaken before Far only to recontest the lead until the shortened race was over. However it was the Dabbs/Farmer Bosun which crossed the finish line first after a little over an hour.

1. John Dabbs and Leila Farmer (Bosun)
2. Robin Spiller(Solo)
3. Roger Heasman and Linda Spiller (Bosun)

The second race, Egg Cup 4, was not run.

Adam Hilton was Officer of the Day.

Tamar 6

9 boats started including 3 possible future members. Brian’s Bosun is the first across the line but Nathan’s Aero takes lead at Dam Green followed by Dave’s Solo, Jane’s Topper, Brian and Tash, Liam’s Laser, Vicki’s Topper, Dan and Charlotte in separate Bosuns along with their crews Roger and Bob, and Harriet’s 4.7.

It was a round-the-lake course in an anticlockwise direction with varying wind directions.

Lap 2: Nathan had a good lead, Dave, Liam, Jane in tussle with Brian, Harriet making up ground over the Bosuns. The rain set in. Long beat from Pinkie to West White. Jane and Brian still locked in tussle at Dam Green

Lap 3: Nathan, Dave, Liam. The fleet was well spread out. Liam capsized near Pinkie due to strong gusts but the wind dropped off as the fleet were coming to the finish.

Nathan crossed the line first followed by Dave, Liam, Brian and Tash, Jane, Vicki, Harriet

Results:

1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Nathan Pollard (RS Aero 7)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
5. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
6. Liam Routley (Laser Full)

Barnwell 7

A long lunch allowed people to warm up after getting drenched in the first race. But continued rain was damping peoples enthusiasm. Race set for 2.15pm to allow the Bosun of John Dabbs and crew Linda Spiller to be rigged. 5 boats took to the water following the same course as the first race. Forecast? At present with promise of a brighter sky in the west.

All boats started a long way back from the line with Brian and Tash being first over the line again heading towards Dam Green to be overtaken by Nathan. Nathan, Brian and Tash, John and Linda, Jane, Vicki.

There was more wind past Home 2 but in variable directions with blue sky to the west but it still continued toraining, even cold in the hut. The wind is now south – south easterly. Positions were maintained: Nathan, Brian and Tash, John and Linda, Jane, Vicki.

The wind dropped of further in the second lap causing Brian and Tash to drift onto Dam Green and struggle to do a 360 penalty whilst Jane was still moving forward at speed. This meant she finally finished just in front of the Bosun though Nathan had already finished more than 15 minutes beforehand. John and Linda got stuck near West White and ended up drifting backward for a bit of time until the safety boat rescues them by towing them back to the pontoon.

The rain had arrived again making for a wet and cold day (and that’s just the OOD!)

Results:

1. Jane Anderson (Topper)
2. Nathan Pollard (RS Aero 7)
3. Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Bosun)
   Retired: Vicki Duncalf (Topper) and John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)

Thanks go the OOD Sue Murray and photos from Jenny Routley

Midweek Mug 16

Another super-light-winded Wednesday, but at least the zephyrs didn’t disappear completely; they came from the Northwest in the middle of the Lake; a good deal more westerly near the Dam.

Sue Murray’s course (Zebra/West/Middle/Dam Green/Home 1) was designed to maximise these wind shifts and to avoid the fishermen who were ubiquitous. And where they weren’t, there were paddleboarders, kayakers etc.

Five boats took to the water. Ian Chatterton was out in his Ent. John Dabbs, with Leila Farmer, and the Witchells had Bosuns. Geoff Floyd and Adam Hilton were in their Solos.

Ian Chatterton started just ahead of Adam Hilton and Geoff Floyd but the Hilton Solo led at Zebra and from then on, although very nearly overtaken by the Enterprise at West on lap 3. The Dabbs Bosun led the double-handers and got promoted by the handicap.

1. Adam Hilton (Solo)
2. John Dabbs and Leila Farmer (Bosun)
3. Ian Chatterton (Enterprise)
4. Geoff Floyd (Solo)
5. Colin and Louise Witchell

Egg Cup 3

John Dabbs lost his crew and sailed alone. The Enterprise and the other Bosun stayed on the shore. For the three remaining boats there was a more reliable wind and the laps of the short course took around ten minutes. The Hilton Solo again managed to get and keep the lead. The Dabbs Bosun overtook Geoff Floyd’s Solo at Dam Green and finished second.

1. Adam Hilton (Solo)
2. John Dabbs (Bosun)
3. Geoff Floyd (Solo)

Many thanks to the Officer of the Day, Sue Murray.

Pursuit 2

In pursuit races handicaps based on boat class and helm performance are applied before the race so that the slowest boat starts first and the rest at intervals after. They try to catch up and overtake. Vicki Duncalf’s Topper had only three minutes start on John Dabbs’ Bosun; not nearly enough on a day of moderate southeasterly winds which suited the Bosun’s performance. Peter O’Toole’s Full-sailed Laser was the only boat to catch and overtake the Bosun, if you discount Emma O’Toole’s Laser Radial which spoiled things by going the wrong side of a course marker. Nathan Pollard’s quick Aero 7 started at the rear, 15 minutes after the Topper, but he managed to get up to third before the allotted 68 minutes were over.

1. Peter O’Toole (Laser Full)
2. John Dabbs and Adam Hilton (Bosun)
3. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
4. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
5. Dave Perrett (Solo)
6. Paul Anderson (Laser Radial)
7. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
8. Liam Routley (Laser Full)
9. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate)
10. Ollie Williamson (Aero 7)
    Not classified: Emma O’Toole (Laser Radial), Harriet Cox (Laser Radial)

Pursuit 4

The handicaps were adjusted to reflect success or failure in the morning race and this time no one crossed the line until eight minutes after Vicki Duncalf’s Topper. It was not until the third lap that she was overtaken. Peter O’Toole got himself from sixth to first; Nathan Pollard from ninth to second.

1. Peter O’Toole (Laser Full)
2. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
3. Ollie Williamson (Aero 7)
4. Emma O’Toole (Laser Radial)
5. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
6. Dave Perrett (Solo)
7. Adam Hilton and John Dabbs (Bosun)
8. Vicki Duncalf (Topper)
9. Liam Routley (Laser Full)
10. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate)

Grateful thanks went to the Officer of the Day, Jane Anderson, and to Natasha Routley who took the photographs.

Midweek Mug 15

There was nothing that you could call wind, but the air did just about move. One lap of a simple course (Middle/West/Pinkie/Dam Green – thank you Dave P.) took an hour. Linda Spiller (Full) and Sue Murray (Radial) were in Lasers. Rob Spiller and Adam Hilton had their Solos and John Dabbs was sitting alone in his Bosun.

Adam Hilton was so worried about not being able to cross the start line that he managed to be over it when the horn blew. He had to go back, but benefitted from cleaner air and was first (after 15 minutes) to the first mark, followed by Rob Spiller, Sue Murray, Linda Spiller and John Dabbs (who had had trouble persuading the boat to cross the start line.)

The Hilton Solo continued to lead until shortly before Dam Green where the Lasers edged past leaving Linda Spiller’s big sail to cross the finish line first but not far enough ahead of Sue Murray’s Radial or indeed the Dabbs’ Bosun to be given the victory.

1. Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
2. John Dabbs (Bosun)
3. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
4. Adam Hilton (Solo)
5. Rob Spiller (Solo)

Egg Cup 2

There was enough puff in the gentle northwesterlies for the fleet to complete three laps within the hour.

The Club Bosun joined the race with new-comer Harriet ?? at the helm and Bob Sampson mentoring. Linda Spiller got away well and stayed at the front throughout. Sue Murray was second at the start but the high-pointing Hilton Solo went round Middle before her and stayed in second place. Sue closed up on the Solo somewhat in the last moments and was hoisted by the handicap into second place.

1. Linda Spiller (Laser Full)
2. Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
3. Adam Hilton (Solo)
4. John Dabbs (Bosun)
5. Harriet and Bob Sampson (Bosun)
6. Rob Spiller (Solo)

Many thanks to the Officer of the Day, Dave Perrett.

Midweek Mug 14

White streaks ran the length of the Lake. The forecast north-westerly force 4 was certainly present along with its force 6 gusts. Single-handed sailors had to be brave. Sue Murray (Laser 4.7) and Ian Chatterton (Enterprise, without jib) were brave. Adam Hilton and Geoff Floyd were not; they abandoned their Solos for the comparative safety of Adam’s ex-Buckett Bosun with small sails. John Dabbs and Linda Spiller were sensible too, with small sails on the Dabbs Bosun. Roger Heasman and Bob Sampson, in the Club’s fast Bosun, risked full size sails and paid the price, shipping a tubful of water when a gust hit them while gibing at Pinkie on lap 3. Before that they had overtaken the fast starters (Chatterton, Dabbs/Spiller and Hilton/Floyd) before they got to Pinkie on the first lap. Behind them the Hilton/Floyd Bosun toured in second until they went the wrong side of Zebra on lap 3 and had to double back. John Dabbs and Linda Spiller took over first place and held it to the end of the fourth and even when the handicaps were applied. Sue Murray’s courageous effort rewarded her with second place on the water and on corrected times.

1.      John Dabbs and Linda Spiller (Bosun)
2.      Sue Murray (Laser 4.7)
3.      Adam Hilton and Geoff Floyd (Bosun)
4.      Roger Heasman and Bob Sampson (Bosun)
5.      Ian Chatterton (Enterprise)

The second race was not run.
Many thanks to the Officers of the Day, Louise and Colin Witchell.

Sailboat 4

Robin Spiller’s Solo crept across the start line first on a day of the lightest possible winds. He was followed by Nathan Pollard’s Aero 7 and Dave Perrett’s Solo, but it was Adam Hilton’s Solo which reached the first buoy, West, in the lead, the choice of port tack having proved advantageous. The Pollard Aero managed a faster snail pace than any of the Solos and led before they the northernmost buoy. Returning to Inlet took an age and it became clear that the race would be shortened to one lap, less than one in fact because the finish line was opposite the race hut not in the centre of the Lake as the start had been. On their way to the Dam the three Solos were in the order Hilton, Perrett, Spiller, until the wind abandoned Adam Hilton and he drifted onto Dave Perrett’s boat which probably then touched Rob Spiller’s. The first two Solos retired leaving victory to Nathan Pollard, second place to Robin Spiller and third to Liam Routley, Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate) having also retired.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Robin Spiller (Solo)
3. Liam Routley (Laser)
   Retired: Adam Hilton, (Solo) Dave Perrett (Solo), Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate)

Tamar 5

Officer of the Day Linda Spiller shortened the course considerably for the three helms with enough determination to undergo another snail pace race. Even so there was only time to complete two laps. Nathan Pollard’s Aero 7 led with the Pollard/Routley Graduate following until overtaken by Liam Routley’s Laser. The handicaps left the on-the-water finishing order unchanged.

1. Nathan Pollard (Aero 7)
2. Liam Routley (Laser)
3. Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate)

Many thanks to Linda Spiller who ran the races and to photographer Mandy Pollard.

Midweek Mug 13

A fine day with light westerlies. The far side start line to Home 2 was hardly a beat although the next leg, to West, was. Sue Murray reckoned she needn’t cling to the windward mark and got the Radial-equipped Moderation to Home 2 in first place. She never relinquished it. Dave Perrett’s Solo was next around Home 2 but not around West, Roger Heasman, nifty all day in the Club Bosun, having called starboard on him. It took a while for the Solo to get ahead although it had by the end of the lap and Dave stayed in second until the end. Linda Spiller’s Radial was first over the start line but only managed fourth at the end of lap 1. Adam Hilton (Solo) would have done better if he hadn’t run into the Heasman Bosun’s transom while trying to get round Inlet.

1. Roger Heasman (Bosun)
2. Sue Murray (Laser Radial)
3. Dave Perrett (Solo)
4. John Dabbs (Bosun)
5. Linda Spiller (Laser Radial)
6. Adam Hilton (Solo)
7. Geoff Floyd (Solo)

Many thanks to Robin Spiller who kindly stood in as OOD.