Our usual closing regatta format was not possible this year due to the ongoing restrictions however there was good support from both adult and cadet members.
The day started with a gentle breeze and the course for the first race was set as D, C, Z, A. Becci’s Radial was ahead at the end of the first lap with Erwin’s Solo close behind. Next were Jamie’s Radial and Bill in his recently acquired Wanderer, followed soon after by Drew’s Topper. Meanwhile at the back of the fleet the Brown’s Mirror had sailed a good lap but Lyall’s Optimist was steadily gaining and finished the first lap just a few seconds behind them.
During the second lap the Solo managed to get ahead of Becci’s Radial and stayed in front to the finish line. Jamie’s Radial lost the wind but the Wanderer managed to find a breeze from somewhere and moved into third. Jamie’s Radial started to catch the leaders on the downwind leg but then the wind died away and he somehow fell in.
Meanwhile the Topper stayed ahead of the Mirror and Optimist. However, the Optimist found a breeze up the shore where there seemed to be none and pulled ahead of the Mirror.
With very light winds only 2 laps were sailed and after the application of handicaps the final placings were Optimist, Wanderer, Solo, Radial (Becci), Topper, Radial (Jamie), Mirror.
With the wind even less, the course was shortened for the second race to D, K, A. Once again the Solo, Radials and Wanderer took the lead with the Topper close behind as they finished the first lap. Unfortunately, the wind then dropped away so the race was shortened with the Mirror crossing the line ahead of the Optimist and Feva. The faster boats managed a second lap with the Wanderer finishing first followed by the Solo, Radials and Topper.
The final placings were Wanderer, Topper, Solo, Radial (Becci), Optimist, Radial (Jamie), Mirror, Feva.
After a break where the wind seemed to be returning the third race was started with the intended course of F, C, K, A. However, a full minute after the start no boats had crossed the start line so the race was abandoned. There was a brief moment where Becci and Erwin seemed to get some wind but it was a false hope.
It was agreed by the sailors that a second day should be set to sail some additional races.