Your Race Controller for the day, Fleur Bryant, reports:
A blustery and cold day greeted all of those who came down to the lake last Thursday. So firstly, well done to all of you hardy souls who took part in the 7th Race of the Summer Series since the conditions clearly showed us that Summer is fast disappearing. Secondly, thank you for your patience during the delayed starting sequence to allow for some additional racers, it was much appreciated.
Once we got going, everyone took a keen approach to the start which was great to see. Make sure you remember your rules before the race as well as during it. Well done to the Racer who was a little too keen at the starting gun and was over the start line but spotted this and ducked down to clear the line. A good decision as the amount of time lost was minimal versus being called out by the Race Controller, having to turn around further up the beat and then sail back to cross the Start Line again.
The windy conditions continued during the first lap, but with everyone coping well with the conditions, it led to it being very competitive particularly between the 2.4s and the Martin. David Mason led at the first mark but was closely followed. Mark Cayzer had a brilliant first lap leading the Access fleet but again was closely followed by Kim Sparkes.
The wind dropped during the 2nd Lap which slowed the lap times down and led to much more manageable conditions. There was also a lovely battle between some of the Access and Liberty helms.
By the time the leaders were on Lap 3, the conditions continued from Lap 2, which I’m sure was a relief all round. The competitive racing continued with a number of bunches of boats at different points on the race course with places changing regularly.
Well done to everyone, it was a really great race. Following an invitation from David McKee, we were joined for the day by Joff McGill, the new RYA – the top dinghy sailing authority in the UK – Sailability UK Manager and Sarah Sibley, the RYA Disabled Development Officer for London and the South East. They both said they thoroughly enjoyed their day with Wealden Sailability (WS) and commented on the friendly, relaxed but safe atmosphere, and that it was really nice to meet so many people involved and to hear what they got out of sailing (and volunteering) with WS.
The progress you have all made is fantastic. Keep trying to remember your rules when you are on the water. If you have any questions about any further progress you want to make, just grab a volunteer. If they don’t know the answer, they will send you on to somebody who does.
The Final Result:
- Mike Blatchford – 2.4
- Martin Norman – Martin
- David Mason – 2.4
- Mark Cayzer (and Bruce Hebbert) – 303
- Malcolm Hill – Martin
- Kim Sparkes – 303
- Fay Watson (and Rick Atkinson) – 303
- Bill Garry – Liberty
- Steve Farmer – 303
- Peter Gregory – Venture
- Lisa Holland – 303
Louise Fisher in her 303 DNF.