Site Tools
|
|
You are here: Home
| Tuesday sailing continues to be popular |
|
|
|
| Written by Graeme Knox | |
| Tuesday, 09 September 2008 | |
|
Seven boats started the opening race in the September series on Tuesday 2nd September. The weather was again disappointing with only a little wind from the east when the start gun sounded. The outer mark was out of position with the transit which may have accounted for 3 boats being over the line, including Peter Tait (Laser) who was sandwiched and took ages to get back in the light wind. However he soon caught up when the wind started filling in from east north east. Tony Walker (Enterprise) was at the lead from the start, while slightly further back Brian Finnie (Europe) paced allegedly faster boats, as indeed did Jim Green in his Solo for a while, but Graham Topping im his Heron, although also over the line at the start, remained ominously close. Craig Knox (Laser) had a great start and stayed ahead of the old boys in his class until tactical inexperience showed and he was becalmed, dispiritedly watching the rest sail past. The “old boys” were perpetual rivals Peter Tait and Malcolm Heron who battled throughout. The wind rose sufficiently for the different classes to part company and the fleet managed to complete several laps. Tony was first across the finish line followed by Peter, Malcolm, Brian, Craig, Jim and Graham in that order. The handicap finish was of course different with Graham taking first, followed by Tony, Brian and Jim while the Laser sailors managed only the last three places. Sunday 7th September promised a good blast of wind and some competitors decided to be sensible and not start but four boats were there for the first race and set off into an unpleasant, gusting and veering Easterly. Peter Tait (laser), despite his dislike of high winds, was on remarkable form and after a great start gave his class rival Graeme Knox (Laser) a lesson and sailed off into a huge lead. Garry Rucklidge (Firelfy), with his crew John Main, remained upright as indeed did Jim Green (Solo), as they forced their boats around the course. Peter took an easy win, well ahead of Graeme in second, with Garry third and Jim fourth. By the second race the wind had eased slightly and Craig Knox appeared with a club Wayfarer. Peter again mastered the start and was in the lead until Graeme told him he was about to miss a mark. Only Peter would have carried out the two wild gybes in a squall required to rectify his course then tucked in behind Graeme for the Laser pair's best wind of the day when they charged off on a broad reach less than two boat lengths apart. Graeme then made a course error allowing Peter to overtake him. The rest of the fleet also had close battles but, as the wind continued to die, Peter showed his mastery of such airs and took first after opening a large ninety-second lead over Graeme in second place. Despite a rudder problem Jim claimed third and Garry was fourth, ahead of Craig in fifth. Peter won the series overall with Graeme 2nd and Garry 3rd. |
|
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 09 September 2008 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Copyright © 2005 - 2009 FORFAR SAILING CLUB.
Template Design by JoomlArt.com
Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.
