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| Strong winds and spills for Sunday sailors |
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| Written by Graeme Knox | |
| Monday, 30 June 2008 | |
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On Sunday 29th May several new members arrived for open sailing. High winds would have made it well nigh impossible to teach in most dinghies but Graham Topping came to the rescue launching his Drascombe Lugger and under fore and mizzen sails only she provided a stable and stateswomanly platform fit for purpose. Rescue was in many adventurous competitors minds for the afternoon's racing as the westerly wind continued to howl at force 4 gusting to 5 and maybe a wee bit more. Safety Boat driver Graham Topping was called to an early rescue just prior to the start of the first race when Peter Tait had a capsize near to the shore from which he failed to recover in time for the start. The remaining boats, the Lasers of Graeme Knox, Malcolm Heron and Tony Cook accompanied by Garry Rucklidge and John Main in a Merlin Rocket struggled up the short first beat during which Malcolm Heron made an unusual mistake and also capsized. Graeme Knox, being the heaviest was first round the windward mark. It was then the Merlin Rocket's turn to capsize, and having gone turtle Garry and John decided enough was enough and retired. The remaining Lasers had some hairy moments and spills but Graeme unusually remained upright and took first, ahead of Tony Cook (Radial) and Malcolm Heron in that order. The second race started in a rain squall which taxed everyone and off the wind the drama started. Colin Tannock (Laser) had an awful death roll on a run and with his sail remaining full toiled for several minutes before recovering. Tony Cook had a swim when gybing but was more fortunate. Malcolm and Graeme had a terrific battle at the front and were well ahead of the fleet. Graeme somehow pulled away on the third lap then bucked the trend with a death roll to windward, blaming a massive shift, and recovered literally alongside Malcolm. This pair, despite the conditions, threw caution to the wind and probably remained too close. On a very fast reach, the last one, only 100 yards from the finish, they inevitably collided, of course spectacularly. Malcolm was flipped over and Graeme's tiller extension broke sending him literally spinning. Graeme was forced to retire and the incident undoubtedly cost Malcolm first place as he finished second on corrected time to Tony Cook. Wisely conservative, Colin Tannock got a deserved third and Garry Rucklidge a brave fourth. Tuesday racing now continues and all members are reminded that there is training on Thursday. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 30 June 2008 ) |
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