Upper Tamar Lake Sailing Club race report — Sunday, April 22

AM Cup Race Two

WITH the promise of sunshine unfulfilled, 11 boats set off for the first race in drizzle with two keen starters sadly over the line as the gun went.

Sailors found it difficult to fetch the first mark (West White) in one tack in the gusty conditions, but the two Lasers — Bob Sampson and Nathan Pollard — had clear wind and were able to make it in one.

Sampson took the early lead followed by Pollard and then the Herbert-Coulsons in their new Wayfarer purchase.

The positions didn’t change much in the second lap, however there were three capsizes in the gusts — the two Janes (Anderson and Chadney) and also John Dabbs, although they all recovered safely. Nicky Buckett and Sally Wills were having a great race in their Bosun and were not far from Sampson in the final calculations, but they couldn’t catch him as he took line honours as the lake became shrouded in fog, and also took first place on handicap.

Winner: Bob Sampson (Laser); Runner-up: Nicky Buckett and Sally Wills (Bosun); 3rd: Nathan Pollard (Laser); 4th: Mike and Viki Herbert-Coulson (Wayfarer); 5th: Vicki Duncalf (Topper); 6th: Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun); 7th: Jane Chadney (Laser Radial); 8th: Geoff Floyd (Solo); 9th: Jane Anderson (Laser Radial)

Retired: John Buckett and John Dabbs

PM Ladies Cup, Gents Trophy and Gosling Shield

THE numbers were reduced to just seven participants for this combined series of races in misty, drizzly conditions, which were still very gusty.

This time it was the Wayfarer who took the lead followed by the Lasers of Bob Sampson, Nathan Pollard and Jane Anderson, and the change of course made sailors take note of wind directions and dull patches.

With the spinnaker up, the Herbert-Coulsons extended their lead but missed out a buoy at the end of the first lap.

Pollard took up the leader’s position with Anderson and Sampson fighting it out behind. Further back, Vicki Duncalf in her Topper was having a flyer of a race as was Geoff Floyd.

Sampson made an error on the second lap, missing a mark and then returning to round it, which allowed Anderson to slip into his position.

Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert in their Bosun were also having a good race on the former’s birthday.

Gosling Shield

Winner: Jane Anderson (Laser Radial);

Runner-up: Vicki Duncalf (Topper); 3rd: Nathan Pollard (Laser); 4th: Bob Sampson (Laser); 5th: Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun); 6th: Geoff Floyd (Solo)

Retired: Mike and Viki Herbert-Coulson

Ladies Cup

Winner: Jane Anderson; Runner-up: Vicki Duncalf

Gents Trophy

Winner: Nathan Pollard; Runner-up: Bob Sampson; 3rd: Brian Pollard; 4th: Geoff Floyd

Thanks were expressed to Sue Murray for carrying out Officer of the Day duties.