THERE was no wind but the sun shone and eleven sailors thought they would try racing.

The result was a one-lap drift, which took the leader three quarters of an hour and the last boat an hour and a half.

Jane Anderson (Laser) demonstrated her uncanny ability to find puffs of wind where others find none and already had a substantial lead by the time she reached the far end of the course, and at the end was thirteen minutes ahead of the next bunch of boats, led by Jane Chadney (Laser).

The first start ended in a general recall because Adam Hilton’s Solo was over the line. The second saw Robin Spiller and Vicki Duncalf away first. Adam Hilton, still wayward, set off for West when the course specified Middle, found more wind than those on the right course, and had time to come back and round Middle in third place!

Jane Anderson was again in the lead at the first buoy, followed by Bob Sampson, Nathan Pollard — competitive now that he had put a full-sized sail on his Laser — and Jane Chadney.

Robin Spiller’s Streaker was the first non-Laser, closely followed by Paul Whybrow’s Solo.

John Buckett’s Otter, with the helm in his habitual backward-facing position, was keeping well up with the fleet, ahead of Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Tasar) for much of the race, and was rewarded with second place by the handicap.

Grateful thanks were given to Sue Murray for officiating and to Mandy Pollard for the photos.