The 31 March race was switched from a scheduled B course to an A after brief assessment of wind, and word of an impending river closure downstream of the railway bridge after noon.
Four sailors turned out on a somewhat grey and occasionally blustery morning. Dave B, sailing Big Polly single-handed, rounded the downstream mark just outside the grid first and maintained the lead throughout the race. Rob C sailing Tiamat single-handed and Rob A sailing Phoebe followed round the mark soon after, however a gust pushed Tiamat over moments after. It proved impossible to right her, Rob C opted to retire and was attended to by Lev and crew and in the safety boat. Ian N in the Vibe had a slow first lap but then settled into a rhythm and was frequently seen leaning out far near the Surrey bank, making the most of the NE breeze. Rob A’s Laser appeared to have ever declining freeboard and was stopped in the shallow water at Middlesex bank on several occasions to drain water from the hull, before resuming the race and finishing 3rd after 4 laps. Ian was 2nd on the water, also with 4 laps. Dave’s mast came dangerously close to horizontal at the upstream mark on his 5th lap but after that, victory was never in doubt, and the whistle went after 6 laps completed around the hour mark. Many thanks to Lev, and Dave (x2) in the safety boat and Chris and James off the water.
Alex
Next week it’s another A-course at 15:30
