After a rather calm morning the wind did eventually arrive and by late afternoon there was a warm F3 from the south. There was a good turnout of fourteen boats, due to both the arrival of visitors and turnout of the asymmetric fleet.
However, by the time we were lining up for the racing the wind had eased to a F2 and the flood tide was in full flow making short work of the beat.
Race one – Team Brown (RS400) and Phil (RS700) were early leaders closely followed by Curtis (RS700) and Roger & Keith (RS500). However, close behind were visitors Simon and Bruce in their Lasers who took the first two places on corrected time with Mark (wishing he had picked the full rig) in the club Laser Radial third.
Phil took an early lead in race two with Team Brown in hot pursuit. Three boats were vying for third and after the first lap, one second separated Roger & Keith, Big Phil (Phantom) and Don & Hattie (RS400). Once again the Lasers were holding their own and it was another 1,2,3 for them with Simon recording another first, Bruce second and Mark third on corrected time.
The final race of the day proved to be a sprint, with just one lap. Phil and Team Brown once again leading the fleet, with Phil crossing the line five seconds ahead. However, it was proving a difficult evening for the asymmetrics to hold their handicaps and Simon and Bruce took another 1,2. However the Laser stranglehold of the podium places was broken with Dan, sailing the club Solution third, having improved every race and obviously getting to grips with the boat.
Many thanks to Phil ‘A’ for stepping in as Race Officer, a lovely evening to be on the water and followed supper by Mr Brown on the prom.