Race Report – 22 March 2026
Race number 2 : OOD: Mary Brown; Safety Boat: Henry Brown.
It was a sunny afternoon with the promise of spring all around, but very little wind. Six boats launched: Lev Kolobov solo in his Enterprise – Porpoise; Rob Adams, crewed by grandson Hugo in Big Polly (Enterprise); Sam Shemtob solo in SY2 (Wayfarer); Tamir Gottfried in his Laser; Keith Clarke in Kaia (Laser); and Olly Adams, crewed by his son Hugo in Spinosaurus (Mirror). The wind was variable in direction as it always is at Strand, but predominantly from the north – which means against the spring tide. Good news. We agreed on a short A-course.
As the fleet drifted upstream towards the start line (at The Steam Packet) the safety boat decided not to obey instructions from the driver who then had to set the marks using the hand tiller on the motor – which lost some time and meant that the race started with the upstream mark yet to be set.
Rob led the race at the first lap with Lev and Tamir in close attendance. Tamir led at the second lap and Lev at the third and final lap. Keith and Olly were always pretty close behind the leaders, but Sam found that his heavy old Wayfarer with its floppy old sails and the lack of a crew left him lagging behind.
Olly and Billy in their little Mirror taught all contenders a lesson in light weather sailing skills, even having time to use the spinnaker and, after the handicap sums were done, finishing first in all categories.
A reward for all, however, was the flapjack/tea back in the soggy arch, courtesy of OOD Mary, with the additional honour and pleasure of Margaret Berger’s company – our own Centenarian.
Next week we have another A or B course starting at11:20.
