UPPER Tamar Lake Sailing Club's season opened on Sunday (March 1).

Afternoon Race: Tamar Cup 1.

The start of a new sailing season, with the morning spent scrubbing boats and brushing up on safety boat skills. (Our thanks to Will Pepworth from South West Lakes Trust.)

With a rising wind and a chill in the air a respectable nine boats took to the lake. Mary Carter was an early casualty, when having capsized in a gust, quickly found that her sailing dry suit wasn't as dry as she hoped. Adeney Pooler in his new Graduate also quickly decided conditions were a bit hectic choosing to jump ship and crew for Alan Tobias in his Bosun. (Good to have your smiling face back again Toby!)

Gremlins with the battery meant that the four minute horn failed to sound, leaving some racers bemused when the manual start horn was then used. Not so Vicky Duncalf in her Topper, who got away first with Bob Samson and Simon Veal in the RS200 soon moving to the front, followed by Nicky Buckett and Katy Leveridge in their Laser 4.7s.

The race over the three laps then divided into three separate duals with Nicky trying to keep Katie at bay in the Lasers, Vicky vying with John in the two Toppers and Toby trying to catch John Savages Solo.

Bob and Simon in the RS200 were using their spinnaker for extra wind power at the front in their efforts gain enough time to win on handicap. All was looking good for them until they got a dunking just before the finish, which quickly unravelled all their good work.

At one stage Nicky looked to have put Katie in her place but Katie just kept coming back at her and almost on the finish line nosed in front.

John Duncalf was also giving Vickie a hard time in the Topper battle, until he managed to hit Inlet buoy twice.The subsequent doubling of penalty tacks and gybes enabled Vickie to cross the line well ahead.

Toby and Adeney finally managed to squeeze past John Savage when he had problems rounding the last buoy however Johns revisions to his racing rig left him well pleased with his performance.

On the handicap places, The Laser 4.7s showed to their advantage with Katie first and Nicky second and Vickie in the Topper doing well to finish third.

Result: 1st, Katie Leveridge Laser 4.7; 2nd, Nickie Buckett Laser 4.7; 3rd, Vickie Duncalf Topper; 4th, John Duncalf Topper; 5th, Bob Sampson and Simon Veal RS200; 6th, Alan Tobias and Adeney Pooler Bosun; 7th, John Savage Solo. Did not start: Mary Carter Laser 4.7.