Bank Holiday Series 2008 blog

Race 1 - Not sailed

Race 2 - Lasers dominated today's water where the stream was high and the wind light, drifting and variable. The wind teased all day causing sailors to juggle with boat and sail choice before taking to the water, it left some weighty sailors considering their diet before returning to land. It was the efficient lasers who had the upper hand, with Kevin taking the lead and Phil close behind. Unable to progress, Jason in a Topper and Richard and Mick in the an Enterprise eventually were forced to retire, although Richard continued single handed. As the wind dropped almost completely in third and last lap, it left the leaders becalmed before the up-steam mark. Pat Longmore on a Radial rig, sailed her laser consistently throughout the race, finding the wind on the last lap and keeping with it, she managed to pass Phil and overhaul Kevin's 7 minute lead and eventually win by over 4 minutes, Kevin only just managed to keep Phil at bay at the finish as the wind the last gust of the day.

Race 3 - Not sailed

Race 4 - Gusty winds, mostly from the South-South West, but sometimes viable; meant that it was going to be a feisty race in the last of the Bank Holiday Series, strategic choices for the three boats were a stark, safety or bravery.  Damian showed great confidence in entering his first race, with an inexperienced crew, that included Daryl, crewing for the first time.  Choosing the wayfarer, Damian went for the jib sail over the genoa, deciding that control would be preferential over speed; conditions for most of the race would show this to be the wise choice.  The race nearly started in catastrophe, as Richards Enterprise had to be re-launched after water came gushing in first time, while on the start line the Enterprise of Phil and Sarah narrowly avoided a passing narrowboat, the same boat also encumbered Richard and Jason, who found themselves a good 30 yards behind the line at the race beginning. Damian meanwhile had a good start, but he and his fresh crew struggled getting to grips with the Wayfarer, finding themselves head-to-wind they were soon overtaken by Richard helming and Jason crewing the Enterprise. Damian's race continued to be eventful, with impromptu pirouettes, risky wobbles and chasing down panicking cruisers across a busy river. The bank holiday traffic was enough to send Phil into Cruiserphobia and produced another near miss for Richard. The difficult conditions had Richard and Jason deciding upon a strategy of safety, hoping to capitalise on the mistakes of others, to win the race. However Phil helming bravely and Sarah crewing with great alacrity, made no errors;  aggressively planning the enterprise, both sitting on the gunwales, they cruised to an easy win, Richard and Jason made second while Damian and his crew, now mastering the Wayfarer took the third spot.