If day 3 was epic, day 4 can only be described as the ultimate foam off! The Ora arrived half an hour earlier than the previous day today, kicking in with white horses galloping down the lake leaving no uncertainty over rig set up for those still left on the shore.
The race committee wasted no time in getting the racing under way, the wind gusting 27 knots it was all on for young and old, fresh and wise alike – ‘you know it’s windy when your eyelids start flapping’ (Andy Jeffries). With racing in the usual spot under the western cliffs it was once again all about getting a good start and hitting the cliffs at speed. It was the usual crowd once again making an appearance, the only acception being Dave Hivey and James Barlow in SailingTogs.com who had a port / starboard incident coming off the start line resulting in a ripped mainsail. There were plenty of spills throughout the fleet meaning the race was anyone’s to take, in the end Stevie Wilson and Alan Sign establishing an unassailable lead to take the victory from Andy Jeffries and Dan Allin in second. James Date and Toby Wincer finishing third and an impressive effort from the first lady with Justin and Emma Deal in fourth.
With the pressure building, conditions for the second race were marginal, the decision was to continue racing but with 2 rather than 3 laps. Race 2 got under way with shifting breeze confusing half the fleet. SailingTogs.com came off the port end and made use of a lift heading to the cliffs to lead in to the first mark. Stevie and Alan took the lead back down the first run as SailingTogs.com capsized at the gybe point. With the windy conditions, there were plenty of places changing throughout the remainder of the race. Luke and Emma McEwen sailed well to cross the finish line in second only to find out they were OCS meaning that Ben Schooling and George Kingsnorth took second for race two followed by Ed Chapman and Sarah Martin in third. Special mention goes to RWO who were just too plain lazy to finish the race after nailing the committee boat off the start line!
By the time Race 3 got going the fleet had significantly reduced in size, 16 boats failed to make the start line, some snapping masts, several falling through sails and some just plain exhausted. Once again it was the usual crowd fighting it out at the top with places changing constantly as even the most experienced ended up with the stick in the water, some more than once. RWO led at the first mark but got caught in an unusual lull under the cliffs allowing Stevie Wilson and Alan Sign once again put the rest to shame - Alan’s incentive of Jelly Babies proving enough to encourage Stevie around the rest of the course. RWO used the energy saved from race two to good effect and took second for race three followed by Dan Kilsby and Bart Bridgen in third.
There’ll be plenty of chatter tonight as the social kicks off in the Yacting Porto bar down at the waterfront. Current bar discussion is of new F1 style class rules, including a ban on testing and training throughout the season, penalties for anyone in Skandia kit and no arms behind the head (DRS) upwind – especially for the pros!.
Racing tomorrow looks set to be another spectacular day, only 1 point seperates third to sixth with first and second still very much undecided everyone still has it all to play for …bring it on!!
Alain Sign
