Upper Tamar Lake Sailing Club race report — April 24

Sailboat 2

THIS was a race for Bob Sampson’s fast RS200 (Sue Murray crewing).

A brisk wind with few gusts sweeping down the lake from a northerly direction and a suitable course from the Officer of the Day, John Duncalf, meant that the RS could fly its smart blue spinnaker from one end of the lake to the other and make the most of its pace.

James Pollard was actually first over the line in a start that featured an out of control Hilton/Dabbs Bosun which messed Roger Heasman’s chances of a decent start.

The cause of this was the main sheet block breaking loose, a popular failing on the day which also caused James Pollard’s retirement later on.

The RS was soon heading the fleet and taking a mere 15 minutes to get round the course but despite this speed and a three minute lead at the end over Jane Chadney’s flying Laser 4.7, the RS’ daunting handicap brought it down to fourth in the adjusted results.

Nathan Pollard led the Toppers by four minutes and gained a very creditable third place.

1. J Chadney (Laser 4.7); 2. J Anderson (Laser 4.7); 3. N Pollard (Topper); 4. R Sampson, S Murray (RS200); 5. V Duncalf (Topper); 6. T Tobias, J Buckett, C Gilbert (Bosun); 7. R Heasman (Streaker); 8. P Abbott (Topper); 9. J Savage (Solo). Retired: A Hilton, J Dabbs (Bosun), J Pollard (Laser 4.7), R Spiller (Streaker)

Ladies, Junior, Gosling Cups

The RS200, with Sue Murray at the helm this time, started first and stayed there, doing 17 minute laps this time in a slightly reduced wind.

A borrowed shackle and some new rivets had returned the first race casualties to the fleet and second over the line was the Hilton/Dabbs Bosun, an advantage they lost at the first mark, Toby Tobias’ Bosun (Cilla Gilbert crewing) leading them from then on and ending up a creditable sixth.

Jane Anderson, in her husband’s boat, led the Lasers finishing only two minutes behind the flying RS while Nathan Pollard again led the Toppers but only by two minutes this time!

1. J Anderson (Laser 4.7); 2. J Pollard (Laser 4.7); 3. J Chadney (Laser 4.7); 4. N Pollard (Topper); 5. V Duncalf (Topper); 6. T Tobias, C Gilbert (Bosun); 7. P Abbott (Topper); 8. S Murray, R Sampson (RS200); 9. J Dabbs, A Hilton (Bosun); 10. R Spiller (Streaker); 11. J Savage (Solo). Retired: P Whybrow (Solo), L Spiller (Laser 4.7)

Thanks were expressed to Officer of the Day John Duncalf.