For once the forecast was accurate. 8 hardy soles started in quite a southerly blow with squalls over a triangular course with wing marks.
Start 4 & temp buoy, a beat to 7 with a short reach to a temp inshore wing mark, a downwind run/broad reach to 0, a reach up to 1, then a fetch or short tack to 4, a reach or couple of short tacks to 7 again then round 0 and 1 to the start finish line.
Two skippers, Maurice & Julyan decided on B rigs while the rest of us stuck with A's. A was probably the way to go but we did suffer, especially downwind in the squalls with some diving and loss of control.
Michael broke his spreaders in the second race so was sailing with a badly supported mast which took on some strange sideways bends but kept going.
Julyan sat out 2 races before coffee.
We had an early coffee break after which Julyan came back on the water with an A rig.
Unfortunately Maurice dropped his transmitter and broke it so sat out the second half acting as scorer.
With Julyan sitting out 2 races and Maurice unable to compete with a broken transmitter for 3 races both put themselves out of contention for the overall series final 3rd place on the podium.
The wind had dropped by the time we resumed and moved south westerly for the second half and we were stuck with normal Lakeside conditions with areas of no wind, very frustrating after some excellent sailing conditions before coffee although a heavy downpour was not enjoyable.
There were more incidents today with 8 boats than there were last week with 13, and some difference of opinions. I think we all kissed (metaphorically speaking) and made up before going home.
An interesting series with a total of 18 skippers competing. Once again JB takes the top step on the podium with Simon second and Michael third. Thank you one and all for taking part, without you there would be no race.
The new series starts next Friday and will be known as the Frostbite Series. I think JB may have some stiff competition in the next series, we will wait and see!
There are two Fridays which we need to discuss between us, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. At this time I'm minded not to have formal racing on Christmas Eve but if anyone is interested have a casual sailing day with formal racing and the final of the Frostbite series to be held on New Year's eve with a possible social to the Cricketers PH after?
Results below and on the club web site.
Best wishes Michael.
