While Chris and Julie headed south to spend the day in Wimbledon No 1 court, and were delighted that the forecast rain held off, as well as witnessing the surprise defeat of No 1 seed Serena Williams, club racing comprised a weekend championship series, in bright but cool airs.
The shifting wind made course setting challenging, but a cunning plan was devised to cater for more shifts while still maintaining a second beat. While some of the fleets expressed their disappointment (ie whinged!) at enduring a JC style fetch, others did have to beat on each of the windward legs.
The wind was light for the first lap, but picked up again for the rest of the race. Challenging conditions led to various place changes and some close racing not that the consistency in the results particularly show this.
The wind swung to the north for the 2nd race, but half way through it swung to the east and eased again, providing testing conditions and more close racing.
After two races there is a strong overnight with two 1sts for Graham/Elaine in the F15s, Mike/Eric in the GPs, and Pam in the Mirrors/Toppers. In the handicap fleet the position is somewhat closer with Ian, Scumper, Jim and Robbie D all on five points!
While Sazzle got to grips with her newly acquired Laser, Gary was getting his first taste of helming in a F15 with Kayla. Well done to both of you, and we look forward to seeing you both on the water again in the near future.
Sunday’s weather was very similar to Saturday’s, a light and variable easterly wind with numerous holes. Simon ditched his regular crew in the flying fifteens and took Kaylas out and despite missing Y/Z he corrected himself and won from Ian and Lel. Val and Ken also missed Y/Z and retired in the GP14s leaving victory for Mike/Eric from Alan and Sue. Ian Hall continued his good form and won he handicap race from Robin and Phil. Commodore Andy and daughter Lily won the Mirror race from Mik who managed to hold off Pam. During the lunch break the Bates was taken off the water for its long overdue refurbishments and the fleet took to the water for race 4 in even lighter conditions. Graham and Elaine won the flying fifteen race and the series, Mike and Eric made it a double for the Fairlamb family winning the GP14 race and series. Pam was back to winning ways in the Mirrors also claiming the series and Mark and Phil won the handicap race from Ian whose second place clinched the series. The wind died away to nothing and the sailors voted with their feet and came ashore rather than sail a 5th race, the race officer duly abandoned it and the wind picked up again.