OOD: Leona Shepherd
Safety Boat: James Armitage with Kieran Biekrack (crew)
Weather: Bright with strong gusty WNW winds.
Course: A (the planned C course was changed due to strong winds)
Start: 13:10 HWKB:14.10 Wind WNW 14/ with gusts >30mph
3 boats launched with Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser), Felicia Biekrack and Paco in Distant Thunder (Leader) and Rebecca Hayes in Wagtail (Mirror). Following a few last minute repairs/improvements the boats launched and were whizzing up and down enjoying the wind against tide experience.
All boats tested different positions in the river to optimise the conditions. It was neck and neck on the first leg with Felicia and Paco, on Distant Thunder, taking the lead at the end of the 1st lap, with Ben, on Envy, close behind by only 20seconds. Wagtail, unfortunately, capsized while on the return leg of the first lap and, despite getting righted while in the water, retired. Distant Thunder then developed a commanding lead on lap 2 crossing the line a full minute ahead of Envy. On the 3rd lap, Distant Thunder slowed and Envy accelerated, it was getting exciting!! However, it was not to last and on lap 4, after 3 capsizes while rounding the downstream buoy, Envy eventually retired. This left Distant Thunder with Felicia and Paco, to complete the 4 lap course unchallenged and the race ended in strong winds after 42minutes as the pace rounding the upstream buoy was quite exciting. The OD apologies that there are no photos from the race.
Good fun was had, even by the soggy but happy sailors!
Leona(OOD)
