A clear blue sky and
complete lack of breeze as we set off for Broxbourne. As we drove up the M23 we
hit road works and a 50mph speed limit at the turn off to Gatwick. This
continued up to the junction with the M25. Needless to say there was not a sign
of any work taking place. After navigating the Dartford tunnel and the A10
towards the north we found the turn off to Broxbourne closed off and had to go
on to Hoddesdon and then turn south finally arriving at the club much later
than anticipated. It was then a rush to get rigged, changed and on the water
for the first race.
The race officer set a
figure of eight shaped course, with a relatively short first windward leg – as
shown below.
Veronica Falat (Waveney and
Oulton Broad) was first away at the gun for Race1 in the middle of the line
with Ian Bradley (Ouse) next off nearer to the pin end of the line and Phil
Halldron (Downs) third away nearest to the committee boat. In the light breeze
(3 to 4 knots) there was some close racing and frequent place changes as holes
appeared and swallowed up competitors.
The light and patchy breeze was to last throughout the day. Ian won the first and third laps with Veronica taking the middle lap and Duncan McDonald (NSSC) stayed in third place throughout as Graham Butler (Frensham Pond) held fourth place throughout.
Race 2, after the lunch
break, saw Veronica leading again in the
first and third laps with Duncan behind her except for the second lap when he
overtook her. Graham had a battle with Ian dropping to fourth in the second and
third laps.
Race 3 started, back to back,
in a little more breeze over the slightly adjusted course. Yet again Veronica
led the fleet in top spot throughout with Duncan second and Ian third having
overtaken Graham in the second lap.
The overall winner was
Veronica, having discarded a second place with Ian second overall, Duncan
third, on countback, and Graham fourth.
Results:-
Posn
|
Sail
|
Helm
|
Club
|
R1
|
R2
|
R3
|
Points
|
1
|
1972
|
Veronica
Falat
|
Waveney
& Oulton
|
(2)
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1817
|
Ian
Bradley
|
Ouse
|
1
|
3
|
(3)
|
4
|
3
|
2102
|
Duncan
McDonald
|
NSSC
|
(3)
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
1760
|
Graham
Butler
|
Frensham
Pond
|
4
|
4
|
(4)
|
8
|
5
|
1920
|
Mark
Langston
|
Beccles
|
5
|
5
|
(5)
|
10
|
6
|
1929
|
Peter
Withrington
|
Burghfield
|
6
|
(8)
|
6
|
12
|
7
|
1902
|
Chris
Abela
|
West
Oxford
|
(8)
|
6
|
7
|
13
|
8
|
1700
|
Alan
Simmons
|
Lancing
|
7
|
7
|
(9)
|
14
|
9
|
1905
|
Phil
Halldron
|
Downs
|
10
|
(11)
|
8
|
18
|
10
|
1691
|
Jane
Hill
|
Broxbourne
|
9
|
9
|
(10)
|
18
|
11
|
1611
|
Ceri
Thomas
|
Broadstairs
|
11
|
10
|
DNS
|
21
|
12
|
1685
|
Rod
Jeffreys
|
Blakeney
|
DNF
|
DNS
|
DNS
|
39
|
In spite of the lack of
breeze there was some very competitive racing, even amongst those not in the
leading group and a good day was experienced by all.
Alan.S 1700
