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Chew Valley Lake, Somerset
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Nineteen entries that included 5 visitors, was a fairly good turnout in the windy conditions which were well above the forecast. Apart from the odd sprinkle, the rain held off for the regatta and the temperature made life bearable for those that spent some time in the water. The Race Officer, Keith Harris planned for the three courses to cater for all types of boats taking part.
Race One. A simple triangle. Conditions were quite challenging for most boats but at least the wind remained reasonably steady, though strong. Some helms were having second thoughts and although most boats got to the line the Bahia was an early retirement, having succumbed to a broken mast. The fast handicap boats soon forged ahead with the usual suspects disappearing from view - Simon Hawkes (Phantom) in the lead pursued by Nick Mason (Phantom) and Ian Ingram (RS 400). Middle fleet boats were in close competition on the water with Ken Daniels (Phantom) having had a poor start, slowly forging ahead of Allen Marsh (Laser Radial), Richard Sivers (Laser 4.7) and Alan Greenaway (Comet Trio). There were a number of capsizes but, with 3 safety boats on the water, no-one came to too much harm. Daniels, having spent a while capsized at the windward mark, dropped his new sail and eventually needed to be towed ashore. Just 14 boats completed the race which, considering the conditions, was a fair achievement. Ingram spent the lunch-time repairing the RS 400's main halyard which decided to snap soon after finishing his race.
Race Two. This time the course was a simple windward-leeward, though there was little evidence of the asymmetrics taking advantage by using their gennaker. Hawkes having sped ahead, went ashore with mechanical problems and return to the fray only to fail to finish. This opened the door for Mason who got well ahead of the RS 400. Daniels was also well up and feeling much more comfortable having changed his sail for the second race, whereas Marsh came ashore early - the course not suiting the Laser rig in a blow. As it was, after 30 minutes the wind dropped drastically and changed direction making the 'downwind' leg into a close reach. This brought the race to an early close with a number of boats finishing late as they struggled to finish a lap in the light wind.
Race Three. The course planned was a triangle-sausage sailed back-to-back with Race Two. But first, the committee boat needed to change location due to the wind change and the start was delayed. In the light winds the Radial rejoined the fleet to make up the fourteen boats which sailed - or rather drifted - around the lake. Just 2 laps were completed with the lead boats taking over 40 minutes to complete. For others, it took nearly 90 minutes. The larger sails allowed the Phantoms to get well ahead together with the RS 400 whereas some two-handed boats found the combined weight inside the boat something of a handicap now that the stronger wind had disappeared. Mason, hoping for a second win pursued Hawkes but found himself falling away on one of the beats, eventually to discover weed round the centreboard. Meanwhile, Ingram and Daniels overtook Mason but failed to beat Hawkes who secured yet another win.
