Race One, Course:  D W X (Line)
With the first hint of wind, the Committee Boat anchored up in the middle of the reservoir to set a course.

Race One got under way around 11.30 with the wind still varying some 45˚ and a small triangular course set. Nevertheless most boats got away at the start on a breath of wind which slowly disappeared up the beat. Approaching the windward mark, the leading boats waited for the wind to arrive over the dam and tacked accordingly to give Simon Hawkes the lead rounding the first mark followed by Ken Daniels, then Dick Sivers who decided to use the Rooster 8.1 sail for the day. The leading Phantoms had got well away whilst Phil Osborne in his Laser had caught his own personal puff of wind and by the end of the first lap had escaped the pack to lay just behind Sivers. Lap Two would see the fleet extended and after some 35 minutes, the 'shorten course' flag was hoisted to finish Rob Allen who lead the pack, after one lap whilst leading boats ahead continued to complete two laps. On corrected time Hawkes was the clear winner by nearly 4 minutes with Daniels second and Sivers a close third.

Phantoms reflect their name - creeping ghostlike to windward..

Race Two, Course:  D W M X (Line)
After lunch, buoy positions were altered more to the centre of the reservoir to avoid any wind shadow with buoy 'D' still the windward mark. Again it was Hawkes rounding the windward mark in the lead, with Daniels, Sivers and Osborne well up together also Sean Underwood in the third Phantom well in the mix. With the race finishing with Hawkes crossing the line after two laps, second position became a lottery for four boats following as the wind failed on the very last leg and it was to take many minutes for the rest of the fleet to cross the finish line. On corrected time, Hawkes was again the clear winner, this time by 8 minutes on corrected time with Daniels second and Osborne, very happy taking third place.

Race Three, Course:  W D M X (Line)
By now the wind had changed to a totally different direction but at least enough strength to hold the third race back-to-back. This time 'W' became the windward mark - at least for the start of the race. Conditions determined that all marks would be passed to starboard. Even then there was a bias on the start-line but it was just not worth delaying the start to lose what wind there was and sharper helms started at the pin end of the line to get away with almost a single tack to the windward mark. For the first few legs positions were close among the faster boats with Osborne in his Laser still harrying just behind. As the race developed and the fleet spread out, the wind held enough to get 4 laps in for the main fleet whilst Hawkes being well ahead was send round to complete five laps in the late afternoon sun. The extra lap in wind just holding, still gave him a clear win. Behind, after a close race throughout, Sivers beat Daniels over the line by just one second whilst Osborne who had dropped away, still managed to finish ahead of the other Lasers to ensure a fourth place overall.

Despite the light conditions the regatta had been hard work, tiring and exacting, requiring much concentration - and frustration for some. Prizes were presented by the Assistant Chief Constable, Derek Talbot. Congratulations to Simon Hawkes for a most successful season. Phil Osborne was presented with the Reliance Trophy for local Force helms.

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Pictures of the Event
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Regatta Organiser/Contact: Sgt. Steve Middleditch,
Northants Police Sailing Section
Tel: 0797-604-8795
E-mail: steve.middleditch@northants.pnn.police.uk