Near drifting conditions on Wednesday led more sailors into the bar rather than onto the water. One who was glad he took the latter option was Steve Kimpton whose strategy of staying offshore in what little wind there was paid dividends, giving him his first ever victory in his RS100 after two years of trying.
Adam Coventry found the conditions to his liking in the Slow group, sailing his Pico to a convincing victory ahead of Robin & Thomas Leather’s Feva. Unfortunately, the fitful breeze died completely later in the evening, leaving the Shadows and the lone RS400 unable to stem the ebbing tide and having to seek a tow home.
It was different on Sunday, with 20 knot winds in the bay giving a different reason for some sailors to choose the bar.
Both the cat fleet and the fast handicap fleet were severely depleted, mustering just five boats between them. Paul Tanner, undeterred, sailed his Shadow to first place in the cats, while Martin Scott, revelling in the windy conditions, took the gun in the fast handicap.
In the RS400 fleet, Humphrey Carter enjoyed a good win over rival Chris Symons, who struggled to keep his boat upright; Mike Acton was forced to retire after ripping his spinnaker to shreds.
Of the four starters in the Laser fleet, just two completed the shortened course, Harry Blowers taking the win on handicap by just six seconds from Martin Bean. Meanwhile, in the medium fleet, the two RS100s of James French and Chris Gillies fought it out, with Gillies prevailing.
The slow handicap fleet must have been relieved when, at the last minute, the race officer decided to change the course, keeping them in the bay. Young helm Ted Blowers sailed well to take the win ahead of cadets Sam Metcalf and James Tomlinson.
Results
Wednesday Second Series 2
- Medium Handicap : 1 Steve Kimpton, 2 Mark Harrison, 3 Ben & Matt Green
- Slow Handicap : 1 Adam Coventry, 2 Robin & Thomas Leather, 3 Kate & Thomas Gibbs
Summer Sunday Series 5
- Cats: 1 Paul Tanner
- RS400s : 1 Humphrey Carter/P. Tyler, 2 Chris Symons/Chris Hughes
- Fast Handicap Class : 1 Martin Scott
- Medium Handicap Class : 1 Chris Gillies, 2 James French
- Lasers : 1 Harry Blowers, 2 Martin Bean
- Slow Handicap Class: 1 Ted Blowers, 2 Sam Metcalf/James Tomlinson, 3 Julian Metcalf
