Although the weather on Saturday looked ‘not much good’ for sailing with light breezes (5-10kn at South Channel) it turned out to be a very pleasant day with many sailors commenting as they drifted past, how nice it was. We had 5 division 1 boats being Ron Fergusson and Paul Simmons in Aero 7’s, full rig Lasers sailed by Manfred and John W and a radial sailed by Dave K. Division 2 had Sabre’s sailed by your scribe Lucy, Billy, Tony, and James Dixon. Geoff sailed the Sabre Shark and Callum S thee laser 4.7.

In division 1 Ron was near unbeatable finishing two and a half minutes up on Manfred who was a minute ahead of John W. Paul (Aero)fought it out with Dave (Radial) finishing two and a half minutes behind John W but 50 seconds up on Dave. In race 2 there was a big change as Callum took over Paul’s Aero relegating Paul to the 4.7. This supplied some competition to Ron who held on to first place but only by 13 seconds over Callum. Manfred was third 5 minutes behind Callum but a minute up on John with Dave two and a half minutes behind.

In division 2 Geoff D proved the worth of an older heavier Sabre with the big Shark rig as he powered through the slight chop to beat in Callum in the first race by a minute and Lucy in the second by 6 minutes. Your scribe had his problems as Lucy seemed to be attempting a port start right where the scribe was about to do a starboard start at the pin end. She tacked to starboard directly in front on the scribe’s starboard bow leaving the Scribe with an overlap but unwilling to run into her, and then not making the pin. Lucy claims she had all the rights as the Scribe never touched her and therefore the Scribe had enough room. The Scribe says that he was forced, by her sudden tack, to take avoiding action and in the event that this fails, he had an overlap and the windward boat failed to give room. You be the judge. (Lucy can have a right of reply next week). Anyway, the race went on with Geoff ahead of Callum. Lucy was a minute and a half behind Callum 40 seconds up on Tony who led Billy by thirty seconds with James following three minutes back. Your Scribe trailed by ¾ of a minute.

In race 2 division 2 we were joined by Paul S on the 4.7 when Callum went over to humiliate the full rig Lasers. Abigail, the Sabre Shark, again led, ahead of Lucy by about 6 minutes with Paul S a minute back. Tony trailed Paul by 30 seconds with the Scribe 2 minutes back but ahead of Billy by a minute with James 7 minutes down. Talking with James after sailing, it might be said that he does not appear to be a great fan of his father’s rigging designs, one of which may have failed in race 2.

Thanks to Zeth Copland as RO and Glen and Peter V who assisted on the safety boat.

Special thanks to Julie who does brilliant dim sims for after sailing and to Anne for assisting where required. Alex did the timing and watched over all. Thanks to Rosie Dott who did the pictures.

Coming up:

Saturday 20 April 2024
Club Racing 1400 Lady Nelson Cup continues

Saturday 27 April 2024
Club Racing 1400 Lady Nelson Cup concludes

Laser Training Camp 27 & 28 April. It is unclear but some assistance may be required with crash boats on the Sunday.

SAIL BELLERINE IS 4 & 5 May with set up on Friday 3 May. All volunteers welcome.