With the lake level down again, milder airs, and a gentle F2 it was good to get racing underway again after recent weekend weather conditions. Although there was initially two directions due to the wind coming round, or was it over, Sale Fell, the predominant SW prevailed so the course took the fleet on a beat from 3 to 9.
Though the direction remained true throughout the afternoon, the sailors were not so enthralled by the shifts, and holes, that they had to endure going into 9.
In the first race, John/Tim in their F15 gained a commanding lead in the strengthening winds. Paul had opted for a full Laser rig, but was caught out in the heavier gusts at a gybe mark and had his first capsize of the day before the wind eased again. Dave/Lynn sailed as well as ever, and took the win on handicap.
John/Tim were a bit too eager in the second race and had to be recalled, letting Mike/Kayla break away, though their lead was diminished significantly in the shifty winds leading into 9. Dave/Lynn remained in contention throughout taking their 2nd win of the day
Autumn Saturday series latest results
Low cloud and drizzle/rain was struggling to lure the five helms on to the water. Alex opted out, and then Sue decided she’d prefer to wait for the drier afternoon race. Nigel then offered to crew for AJ, so that meant there would be three boats racing. The suggestion of another shore based start was quickly taken up (so much better than spending a rainy morning in the Bates!).
Mike/Kayla opted to have a reaching start and raised their spinnaker, but started 10 secs after the two GPs because their stopwatch didn’t start when it was initially set. Mike soon was ahead of Dave/Lynn but couldn’t shake them off until the final lap by which time it was too late to pull out a big enough lead to win on handicap.
Over lunch the wind eased and Mike opted to pack his boat away, so there were only two GPs racing, both of which went for a reaching start, with spinnakers. AJ was heard to say “what could go wrong?”. At the start signal Dave/Lynn were half a boat length over the line, and AJ/Sue possibly half an inch behind it, so the recall signal was sounded and both boats returned to restart.
AJ sailed well and kept close to Dave throughout the race, but what would have been the result if he had not made an unnecessary restart?
So with another two wins under his belt, Dave and Lynn lead the Autumn Sunday series as well.