Sunday 22nd Jan
After the miserable rain from the previous week well cleared this proved to be another cold but a dry, calm day.
A good number took part in sailing many types of craft, Don with fast cat, Phil with his Sea commander running well with bigger batteries, Tony with his home designed tug, Carl running his new pro boat fast elec, Paul running his fast cat, Piers running a very quick Zoom and me with the Lynx all enjoying the flat water. Only waves caused by the Ski club boat sailing on our side of the marker buoys, which our boats took with no problems.
Having missed the 500 race the previous week the chaps turned up with their boats for the 1st race 7 in total, the biggest line up for a long while, all seemingly 2016 models.
I`m not going to name villains but enough to say there were, as usual, loads of collisions but only 2 boats turning over. The main peril being the number of bird feathers in the water (fowl) fouling the props and reducing the speed significantly. There must be an awful number of bald Swans and Gulls about or a biblical scale pillow fight has taken place!
Ed doing his usual grand job of scoring, ably assisted by Dons precise Swiss time keeping we set off 7 boats flat out gunning for the 1st bend. I have to say it was mostly close racing and gave an exciting time in good humour, results as below:-
1st Terry, starting as he left off last year with 16 laps, Paul familiarly 2nd , New man Piers a commendable 3rd, Phil a dependable 4th, me as usual 5th, Carl turned over 6th and Tony also turned Turtle bringing up the rear 7th which is consistent but tough.
All boats ready for the second race, once more the magnificent 7 set off on a charge, there being a more determined attitude this time, “no more Mr Nice Guy”it seemed. The racing was closer with much overtaking and tighter steering etc.
Possibly the end result having a lot to do with duck feather collection, with the results as follows:-
Me 1st, whoop whoop, Piers well raced 2nd, Terry spitting feathers 3rd, Phil consistent but elegantly wearing his new cap & club badge 4th, Paul sadly slipping 5th, Tony not last for the first time ever 6th and Carl following us in 7th or last as we call it.
We are looking at changing the seat in Tigger or if we don`t we might have to re name her “ the NUTCRACKER”!
See you all next Sunday, weather permitting, thanks to the guys who got Tigger out, set the course, collected and put Tigger away also the relay locking up team who secured the gates and barrier at the end.
Pat.
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