Wacher Cup

Wacher Cup Pursuit Race
Sunday 3rd July 2016

The best laid plans can some times go awry and today was no exception. The Race Officer dutifully posted this document on the Race Board, the course was also put up for all to see.

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Pursuit Races have different starts for the various boats and these are indicated by a sound signal after a number is held up.  However, as I have said the best laid plans don't always work out.  At the start of their race, the first two boats to cross the line were the Laser 2000s  of Brian and Maria Golton and Mags Gawecka and Laurie Dengate. The slower boats had missed their slot, so the Laser 2000s got off to a flying start, Having rounded SP1, both boats raised their blue kites, Laser 2000, 2041 has taken an early lead from the Laser 2000, 2621.  Whilst these two boats having rounded SP2 and heading for the Dolphin, the next boats to start the race are the Lasers, closely followed by the single handed Lark 1545, then the RS200 and after that the ISO.

Whilst the Lasers 2000s dominated the race, the Lasers had started to catch up with them. Laser 200875 had moved up to third place having sailed passed the Wayfarer 10077, catching up with the Wayfarer was another Laser 42119.

The ISO had (re)started later than the rest of the fleet and quite a lot of ground to make up because the first Laser 2000 was coming up to complete its first lap.  Laser 2000, 2041 was on the first leg of its second lap, heading down to SP1 and in pursuit was Laser 2000, 2621 coming up to the Distance Mark to begin its second lap. Having put in a tack to round the mark, it has temporarily sailed into a hole but despite this has managed to retain its second place. In 3rd place is Laser 42119, then Laser 200875, holding off the Wayfarer is the single handed Lark, then the Wayfarer who is closely followed by a bevy of Lasers.

Laser 2000, 2041 has extended its lead and whilst it is rounding the Dolphin, the other Laser 2000 is just rounding SP2, in the meantime the RS200 has just begun its second leg.  In these gusty conditions, the fleet is well spread out and there were a number of capsizes which did lead to some retirements.

The Pursuit Race is run for a certain length of time and wherever the lead boat is at the end of the allotted time, the Race Officer will finish the Race at that point.

Results
1st Laser 2000 2041 Brian and Maria Golton
2nd Laser 2000 2621 Magdalena Gawecka and Laurie Dengate
3rd Laser 42119 Andy Ekins.

Race report and photographs by Liz Smith.