Autumn Series 1 and 2 – Race-Report

It was a mild morning and as the grey slowly gave way to the blue, the temperatures rose as did the excitement for a great autumnal sail. Helms and crew were prompt and ready. The only thing stopping a 11.00am start was the lack of a number 2 on the rescue boat. Enter Si Hume - still recovering from the RS 400 nationals with all the metal work holding his shoulder together.

The course had to be laid to the east as we had falling water which meant a down wind start as the wind was west north west. It was an interesting first start. Martin on the crewed dart was heading out to sea and had to u turn back to make the start. The bath tub (470) took a very leisurely approach to the start line and finally crossed it at least 40 secs after the start horn. No risk anywhere of a black flag. The race progressed. Jo - single handed on her dart was having a great race out front. Flying!!! Whilst the rest suffered with unbelievable wind shifts Jo seemed impervious. But the wind had a surprise. A big hole. Which Jo landed in on the final leg. Where ever Jo went the hole followed. Martin and Sam on the other dart flew over the finish, followed by the twins on the pink delight. The bath tub with Jason and Sarah followed next and took the horn 2 seconds before Jo.

The second race started. Martin hit the start line first again. The bath tub took an even more casual approach to the start line this time, crossing sometime after the other boats. At least the spinnaker was up. The wind remained as frustrating in the second race as the first. The cats had a great race crossing each other. The 3rd lap saw the twins arguing about whether they were on the last lap or not, which lead to a beautifully controlled capsize. Memorable moment is Pete stood on the top hull saluting passing boats before somersaulting into the water.