Back to the club after the Christmas New Year break and it was great to see some new boats with Aqua Therapy and Esra Tew both on the water and keen to get involved.
As is always the case a few boats were missing with people away on holidays.
The morning race got away a bit late at two minutes before midday with a fleet of three Bics two Sabres, two B14s and an NS14.
The breeze was quite fresh from the SW at the start but lightened off as the race progressed down from 15 knots with gusts to 20 at the start to just under 10 and gusts 15 or less by the finish.
The B's both had good starts and were soon well clear, it was good to see Aqua Therapy out giving it a go as well as the Bics with Lucas in one and Hamish in Acropho-Bic and Harry in the other all sailing with the rest of the fleet but only one lap.
The Sabres and NS sailed two laps and the B's 3 laps with the times adjusted after the finish.
Phantom led all race until after falling in a hole near the top mark the last time Bang Bangraced past from out wide in preasure + big lift and held on for the win.
In the Sabres Cross Roads Clive Evans had a good lead over Rocket Man Marlene Nichols and the NS Aqua Therapy finished their first race.
In the Bics Lucas as expected got the gun from Harry not too far back and Hamish in third.
On handicap after adjusting the times it was.
Bics
9060 Lucas Upton first 9077 Harry Followes second and Acropho Hamish Lord third.
Combined Trophy
Bang Bang Stephen Mitchell and Tony VanGalen first Phantom Steve Miller and Lauren Bird second and Cross Roads Clive Evans third.
The afternoon Pennant got away on time at 14:05 with a fleet of four Sabres three NS14's and two B14's in a NW-WNW building breeze 12-15 knots and gusts 18-20.
Again it was a clear start with the B's soon well clear but locked together with Phantom just ahead.
However at the top mark Bang Bang came in to the extended top mark with good speed and was first around.
With the Sabres to round the normal top mark and NS's and B's to round the more distant mark it was a first trial of this set up.
On the way to the wing mark a couple of jybes were required and Phantom was able to get through and continued to build the lead for the balance of the race.
In the Sabres Grass Hopper and Cross Roadswere having a great battle which lasted to the very end with Grass Hopper home a mere 8 seconds ahead of Cross Roads.
At the line after some good rides down wind Phantom had a clear 3+ minutes lead over Bang Bang and the NS's were well seperated.
Pennant
On Yardstick
Div 1
Grass Hopper Lucas Upton first Cross RoadsClive Evans second and Loose Change Phil Bloomfield third.
Handicap
Grass Hopper first Loose Change second and Cross Roads third
Div 2
Yardstick
Phantom Steve Miller and Lauren Bird first Pumpkin Eater Darren Eggins and Alexander Lord second Bang Bang Stephen Mitchell and Tony VanGalen third
Handicap the same as Yardstick.
