AM Barnwell Cup 4

ON A CHILLY morning with a steady South-Easterly breeze nine boats came to the start with Bob Sampson (RS200) and Jane Anderson (Topper) reaching the first mark (Dam Green) ahead of the fleet.

They were closely followed by Vicki Duncalf in her Topper and the Bosuns of Simon Veal and Toby Tobias. Robin Spiller (Streaker) made good progress and by the time the fleet had rounded Pinky mark at the top end of the lake and heading for West Mark, he had moved up to fourth place behind Bob, Simon and Toby.

By West he had overtaken both the Bosuns, and there followed a real tussle on the upwind beat back to Dam Green between himself and Simon — the latter being rewarded by rounding that buoy first.

However, everything unravelled on the way back up the lake for lap two when at Zebra Mark a momentary lapse in concentration left Robin overstanding the mark, and in trying to correct his error his boat took exception to the treatment and tipped him in the water.

At the back of the fleet the Toppers progressed sedately in the breeze with Jane, Vicki and John chatting as they progressed around.

The youngsters Alex and Joseph struggled a little in the cold and are to be congratulated for gallantly giving it a go.

The race order then remained the same to the finish. Race results are yet to be ratified.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.