There were a few lost souls and empty stomachs this morning with plenty of tales to tell following on from the crews vs helms union battle in the bar last night – as Wincy put it ‘you know it’s a big night when you loose your flip-flops!’. However the main discussion in the dinghy park was all about what the wind would do today, even ‘The Ancient’ in the committee boat was unable to explain the early disappearance of the wind yesterday.
Launching in 30 degrees heat and no wind, it was hard to believe we’d have 3 long races in 20+ knots. By the time the boats reach the racecourse the Ora had arrived and this time it was here to stay. Race 3 got underway with several boats pushing the line hard, Dave Hivey and James Barlow in SailingTogs.com had the perfect start hitting the cliffs first and leading in to the windward; after bailing out around the pin end off the start line, James Date and Toby Wincer in RWO showed they have true pace and picked up on a left shift to follow Dave and James in to the mark. Justin and Emma Deal also had their heads out the boat and were in third. A close race followed for all but James and Toby were able to maintain their lead all the way to the line, Stevie Wilson and Alan Sign made a late charge to cross the line second however their efforts were to no avail as they were over the start line – Stevie ‘were we covered?’ Alan, ‘NO!’. This meant that Dan Kilsby and Bart Bridgen took second place with Dave and James, who had recovered well from a capsize, in third.
Race 4 was more of the same, close racing as boats tacked on the shifts up the cliff before making the call for the lay line, made tricky by the shifting wind out in the centre of the lake. After a stutter in race one, it was business as usual for Stevie and Alan who took line honors, Dave and James sailed well and come in second with Ben Schooling and George Kingsnorth in third.
Race 5 was more of the same for Stevie and Alan who managed to avoid the camera boat and led from start to finish, Dave and James, RWO and Nick Charles and Christian Humphrey had were engaged in an epic battle for the following places. The non-pros were all showing signs of tiring by the end of the last race, Dave and James once again showing their form to take second from Nick and Christian in third. Andy Jeffries and Dan Allin made a late comeback to catch the leading pack but in the end were unable to pass RWO who finished in fourth.
Tonight looks like it will be a quiet one, most people are broken by the combination of a great night out followed by a better days sailing (‘I may never get out of this chair’ – James Date), a little R&R is needed ready to do it all again tomorrow.
