25/27th October

Lee Marriott's talk on Racing Rules and Tides on Friday evening was very well attended by juniors and adults. In our main hall Lee managed to include something for everyone, assisted by Olivia who was in charge of the Powerpoint. We were visited by four members of Tankerton Bay Sailing Club for the lecture and we hoped to entice them to join our Winter series. In the Eveleigh Lounge Tom and Christine were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with a surprise party arranged by their friends.

Sunday turned out to be a sunny day, and 7 boats took to the water to race in the 2mph wind and an ebb tide.  Race 8 started on time  (probably due to the fact that the clocks had changed). In his first sail for 15 years Stuart Brown in his new Blaze was first over the line, but lost that lead to Scott Atkinson, also in a Blaze, before the first mark. The race was a test of light wind sailing with Scott, Stuart, Ian Brunger, (Laser) Mick Greenland, (Solo) Chris Goymer and Paul Wiseman (Wayfarer), Dave Oakley and Connor Fray (29er), and Ken Sykes and Ken Shepherd. (Wayfarer) in that order.  Scott gained a big lead on the fleet followed by Ian as they slowly completed two laps of the course. The two Kens in the Wayfarer paddled home during the second lap but the other boats completed the course. It was decided to have lunch and wait for more wind, but only 3 boats started the afternoon race, where Chris and Paul took 2 minutes to cross the line after the wind dropped to 0mph as they tacked and Dave and Connor managed to capsize before the first mark. Although the course had been shortened the race had to be abandoned when the tide turned early and the wind disappeared completely. Thanks to Chris Brunger and Richard Proctor in the safety boat, Ella Gamble and Duncan Briggs as race officers and Sarah Fray in the kitchen.