Dinghy Racing Last Sunday

Sunday 8^th June saw the first of the Summer Dinghy Race Series, where 7 boats ventured forth in ideal conditions to tone up their racing skills!

A delayed start to the first race due to launching difficulties soon found an early leader of the pack with Steve sailing a lark rounding the upwind mark in first place, this position Steve maintained throughout the 3 laps, initially hotly pursued by Rob and Wilf in a Laser 2, and laterally Sophie, sailing  a Laser 1, reduced her deficit from 42 seconds after lap 1 to just 2 seconds after the 3^rd lap.

Unfortunately Will, Enterprise, never heard the 5 or 4 minute hooter at the start of the first race so was heading in the wrong direction and took 4 minutes to get back to the start line. I wonder if that had anything  to do with his crew?

Race 2 was a much closer start and far more competitive throughout the race with the Lark and Laser exchanging 1^st and 2^nd places as the laps progressed with Steve eventually crossing the finish line first after overtaking Sophie in lap 3.

Ralph, sailing a Laser 1, had an excellent debut in the two races and only some alleged skulduggery by Chris and Helen prevented him from a achieving two good results. Unfortunately  VAR and shoreline technology has yet to reach Weir Quay, so who was at fault for the collision has yet to be determined.

Overall a good day was had by all and the supporters on the shore were made aware of any impending gusts by the vocals of Belle and  Ariana as they controlled their Laser 2 in the windy conditions.

Results after handicap and corrected time:

Race 1 – 1^st Sophie D,  2^nd Steve K, 3^rd Ralph H,  4^th Rob and Wilf L.

Race 2 – 1^st Sophie D, 2^nd Steve K, 3^rd Rob & Wilf L, 4^th Will & Isobel H.

Thanks go to Alan Duncan for being Race Officer for the day.

Rob Kirby | Commodore