The first race on Bank Holiday Monday morning started with Ross Blackledge and Hannah Golton having just returned from their success at Oxford in the National Schools Sailing Competition making a tremendous start.
They looked like continuing where they left off over the weekend and It took a while for Dai Griffiths and Tom Daniels in the Laser 2000 to come into their own but in the light winds they did just that, and went on to win the first race.
Hannah Golton obviously felt the gauntlet had been thrown down and sailed on to win the event over three races. In the second race of the afternoon the Hogben Boys in their Vision showed that there is nothing wrong with the handicap of their boat as they came from behind to sail through the fleet to win the second race over the water; the slow handicap fleet having already finished after sailing just one lap.
Geoff Greenhall and Simon Child (Great to see Simon back on the water) sailed in their usual jocular fashion, which certainly helps to keep everyone’s spirits up when the wind drops.
The second race was abandoned due to an imminent thunderstorm and lack of wind, which proved to be a good call as the heavens opened just after the race with flashes of lightening bouncing off the pier head.
Results
1st. Hannah Golton - Topper
2nd. Dai Griffiths/Tom Daniels - Laser 2000
3rd. Phillip Young – Solo
Comments
How did we slow down
Having run away with the first race against the 'Super Cadets' Hannah and Ross in the morning, we felt well up for the afternoon races. During the first race of the afternoon (2nd race of the day) we had a great start and a good lead. On the last lap coming down from the Northeast mark to the 8 knot buoy the breaks went on and we don't know why? Matt and Dave just sailed past us while we got tangled up with Duncan. Anyone notice why we slowed down so much. It felt like we were trawling, sailing higher than the rest of the fleet and slower. Answers on a post card to: Dai and Tom - gutted.
Well done the youngsters for giving us such a target to try and beat, and the Hogbens for coming from behind.
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