At 07:30am the air temperature was plus 8, the water temperature was a surprising plus 8.5 degrees, and the tri-swim folks were out in force for their morning dip. The breeze was blowing straight down the lake and ranging from an average 20mph but gusting into the low thirties. The Met Office forecast was for the breeze to slowly moderate throughout the day.

Twenty-six competitors had ventured out on this bright wintry morning with some travelling almost two hours. Competitor seeding was taken from the DF95 class association website ranking listing, with unranked sailors then applied across the two heats.

At 09:45am the breeze had moderated to allow the use of the A-rig, although some of the gusts were causing broaches. A short briefing introduced the race team to the competitors. Stuart Ord Hume on rescue boat, with Rob Owens (RYA Judge) keeping PRO Dave on his toes. The usual briefing items including the 150-metre windward leeward course were discussed and then we were away with the seeding races. A promotion/demotion of 4 boats between fleets was discussed.

Seeding race-1B commenced with home club sailor John Caruana slipping into a clear lead followed by Adrian Tomlinson, Mike Brand and Mike Willett. At the finish it was a home club1, 2, 3.

Seeding race-1A followed immediately with David Adams battling with Nigel Barrow for the lead but followed by home club sailors Andrew French and Colin Honour. David managed to hold off Nigel, with a very rapid Andrew closing the gap. Colin was fourth.

A brief delay whilst the fleets were reorganised ensued, and we were away with race-2B. This was quite a battle as places were lost and gained often on whether a tack was accomplished in the strong breeze. The fleet promotion places went to Buzz Coleman, Chris Hodson, Michael Barnes and Glen Meekcoms.

Race-2A fleet was interesting as Andrew maintaining his boat speed and romped away to win. It was much closer for second with Buzz holding off David and Nigel.

Race-3B saw Ken Binks downsize to a B-rig sail away to a comfortable win, followed by Andrew Granger, Mike Brand and Ian Lloyd.

Race-3A was close for second, third and fourth, but John Caruana again sailed away to a very comfortable win. Nigel, Dorian Crease and Adrian Tomlinson followed him home.

Race-4B saw some new faces at the front. Jim La Roche won by a few meters from Colin Honour with Buzz Coleman in Third. Vernon Appleton made steady progress throughout the race to slip in the final promotion spot.

Race-4A also saw some new faces at the front. Adrian Tomlinson nailed the start and was away and clear as the first run commenced. Nigel and David were in a close fight with Vernon sliding quickly down the run just behind them.

At the finish Adrian was well clear as the fight ensued behind him. Nigel slipped through in second just a couple of meters ahead of Vernon and David.

Lunch was taken at 12:30 and everyone adjourned to the clubhouse. The club caterers were serving a hot meal and dessert which went down very well. Results were entered and calculated whilst the food and hot drinks were consumed, and everyone sat together and chatted. It’s not often that the top five places are separated by three points. Very close racing by these sailors.

A lunch time discussion decided that racing would resume at 13:30 and continue until 3pm when the fleet would decide whether to continue sailing.

The breeze had moderated a little, and Ken was back on his A-Rig

Race-5B was a close for the first six boats, but it was Jim, Mike Wilkie, Chris and Buzz who gained promotion to the A-fleet. Buzz had been hoping between the A and B fleets for the last few races.

Race-5A finally saw Buzz decide to show his class with a good win from Dorian, Nigel and Ken. David Adams retired with a winch issue.

Race-6B had Jim win again from Mike Wilkie, John Crix and Barrie Martin.

Race-6A had Buzz back on form slipping away into a nice lead from Chris, Nigel and Ken. These places were maintained to the finish. The breeze was slowly moderating and tacking was not so much an issue except in the bigger gusts.

Race-7B saw David return and take control of the race shortly after the start. He sailed conservatively to maintain his position to the finish from Glen, Barrie and Vernon.

Race-7A saw Nigel come through on the final beat to take his first win of the day. He was closely followed by Dorian, Chris and Andrew.

Race-8B would be the start of the final round. Mike Brand was quickly away to sail to the bank and catch a really nice port tack lift as he sailed away back out into the lake. He led very comfortably after the first lap and maintained this to the finish. Glen had a close race with Ian Lloyd, Robin Aldcroft and Michael Barnes. It was an unfortunate Robin who just missed out on promotion.

Race-8A would be the final heat of the day. Mike Brand was again quickly away and benefitted from a good port tack line away from the bank. Adrian and Buzz were having a close battle with Nigel, David and Dorian. Not much distance between the top seven. Down the final run they went, Vernon took a more offshore route and caught the pack as they jostled for position at the leeward gate. As they rounded up to start the final 150 metre beat there was only 20 metres between the top 8. Nigel won the tactical battle to take first place, very closely followed by Mike Brand and David Adams. Dorian having an excellent afternoon took a well-deserved fourth place.

The afternoon session had sailed races in a great breeze which was high up in the Rig-A range albeit slowly reducing as the afternoon progressed but always providing everyone with an extremely tactical workout. The day had been sailed in a very good-natured manner and was a credit to all who participated.

Hot drinks and cake were served in the clubhouse whilst the results were entered and processed.

PRO Dave Allinson thanked his race team of Stuart Ord Hume and Rob Owens for coming out to help run the event.

The prize giving commenced with Dave introducing Robin Aldcroft to present the prizes. Robin represents the radio section on the sailing club general committee: –

Whilst Nigel had sailed a superbly consistent event, with Dorian and Adrian not being too far behind with their results. Only Nigel and Buzz and John Caruana had managed to win two races, but many others had posted good race results during the day.

He again thanked everyone for coming and wished them a safe journey home.

Photographs: Stuart Ord Hume
ARO and Observing: Rob Owens
Report: PRO Dave Allinson

Winner – Nigel Barrow
(Datchet MYC)

Runner Up – Dorian Crease
(Two Islands MYC)

3^rd Place – Adrian Tomlinson
(Chipstead SC)