OOD: Mary Brown
Safety Boat: Henry Brown and David Baker
Course: A Weather: hot and sunny, light E wind at 6 knots gusting 10.
Five boats launched for a 15.35 start on a slimy and diminishing foreshore: Lev Kolobov and Inna sailing in Porpoise (Enterprise); Chris Greenwood and Felicia in Distant Thunder (Leader); Keith Clarke in Kaia (Laser); Tim Wellburn and daughter in Ixion (Enterprise); and Rebecca Hayle and daughter in Wagtail (Mirror).
The wind was mostly with the tide, so we set a short A-course with the downstream mark above the PLA grid and an upstream mark opposite the City Barge. Even so, the conditions were too much for Wagtail who failed to complete a lap despite patience and perseverance. Tim started well and finished a lap in third place but that was all that Ixion could manage, and eventually she accepted a tow back to the Arch.
Lev led from the start with Keith and Chris close behind for three laps before he stretched his lead and finishing 6 laps in an hour and ten minutes. Keith finished his fifth lap about two minutes later with Chris close behind. A typical lovely Sunday on the river.
The tide was up over the ramp by the time they all finished and the substantial fencing erected to repair the bridge meant that it was a struggle to get the boats back in their places (as well as at the launch).
Thanks to Mary for officiating – she just managed to keep her feet dry. The next race is a late D-course at 18.05.
