With
120 miles to drive we set off at 7.30am the morning, for Emberton Park, after our return from a
week’s holiday – The Lake District, the Carlisle & Settle Railway and
Liverpool (Beatles Tour). On arrival it was sunny with a light breeze, about
force 2 and once afloat it was found to be very shifty too.
The
first race started from the east point of the island heading to the No1 mark in
the west corner. At the gun it seemed that those boats nearest the inshore end
of the line were best favoured and it was Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) who seemed to
get the best start close to the Island shore. However it was those who tacked off early, further
from the Island, namely Debbie Degge (Bartley SC), Mike Hobin (West
Oxfordshire) and Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad) who made it first
to the windward mark. It was rather busy here with little if any breeze and
there was a good bit of shouting ‘Starboard’ and a few had to do turns. Mike
was first away on the following broad reach in the fickle breeze, hotly pursued
by Debbie and Barney Proud (South Windermere) and Ian.B on the inside lane.
Veronica was next to the gybe mark and Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) not far
behind. The leading five pulled away from the remainder of the fleet with Ian.B
gaining ground. The rest of the race, held over the course within the main area
to the north of the Island finished with Debbie ahead of Ian.B and Veronica
ahead of Mike whilst Barney had to be content with 5th ahead of Mark
Langston (Beccles ASC). Rowan Curtis (Beccles ASC) took 7th ahead of
Matt Whitfield (Tamworth SC) with Alan back to 9th followed by Ian
Whifield (Tamworth SC) then Gary Hogan (Emberton Park SC). The final pair were
Peter Withington and finally Nick Carter (both Burgfield SC).
After
a short break between the back to back races, race 2 commenced on a slightly
different course. This time the two marks between the clubhouse and the Island
were brought into the sequence. The start was the same with the short beat to
No1 mark at the west end of the island and once more the fleet split between
going for the shore or tacking out early with Debbie first away in mid line and
Veronica a touch nearer the pin end. Again there was a bit of bunching at the
windward mark and later in the first lap at the No8 mark close by the clubhouse
and the subsequent No9 just to the west in barely any breeze. The early
leaders, Debbie and Mike taking the route round the west end of the Island with
the rest of the fleet taking the same route. Barney
soon took the lead, having opted to go east around the Island, with Debbie
behind him, then Mike followed by Veronica .with Ian.B in 5th place
and Gary up to 6th.
Lap two saw Veronica claim the lead from Debbie
with Mike next and Ian up to fourth but with Barney dropping back to 5th
on the long leg from the north end. Lap 3 had yet a new leader as Ian.B went in
front with Debbie second with Veronica in third and Mike fourth. In the final
lap Debbie moved into the lead having gained water at the penultimate mark thus
beating Ian.B and then Veronica. Fourth place went to Mike with Barney in 5th
and Matt 6th. Alan could make
no better than 12th throughout this race with only Nick astern of
him.
Race
3, held after lunch, was run over the same course – with the two marks on the
club side of the Island both in play. Debbie was soon in the lead spot with
Barney lying second at the end of the first lap and Ian.B in 3rd spot
ahead of Mark and Veronica 5th.
In lap 2 on the first reach Debbie
took a heavy gust and went for a swim allowing Ian.B to take the lead and begin
to extend the gap ahead of Barney whilst Veronica lost a place to Mike and Mark
also dropped back a place to lie 5th. Debbie had a long struggle to
get her boat up and finally got aid from the safety boat.
Lap
3 saw Ian.B pull out still further in front with Mike crossing the line second
just ahead of Veronica and Barney in 4th. 5th place was
taken by Mark with Rowan 6th and Ian.W 7th ahead of son
Matt. Alan was consistently 9th throughout the race ahead of Gary
with Peter 11th. Nick failed to finish the race.
Debbie
was the overall winner with two 1st places with Ian.B having one
first and one second place. Third overall was Mike with a 4th and a
second ahead of Veronica with two thirds.
Results:-
Alan.S 1700
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