7th GW Smith Trophy race, Thursday August 15th
Published 14:44 on 20 Aug 2024
Image by Alastair Banks
Like the previous Thursday, the poplars on the edge of the council car park where swaying energetically in a strong breeze as we arrived. However, this breeze decreased significantly for the race and left us with a relatively benign wind, predominantly from the south, with a few remnant gusts to keep us on our toes. OOD for the night, Charlie Morgan set us a dogleg with an upstream start to Canbury.
Again there was a good turnout, with 4 Merlins, 4 Toppers for the Junior entrants, 3 ILCA7's, a Solo and a Rooster 8.1.
David Baker and Barbara Adams in their Merlin were the initial leaders, followed by Matt P-J in the Rooster with Chris and William Balmbro not far behind in their Merlin. As the race progressed, Chris and William relentlessly reeled in Matt and then David and Barbara to take the gun. Behind him David and Barbara stayed ahead of Matt to take 2nd with Matt crossing the line in 3rd.
However, ominously for the leaders, Joe McLaughlin in his Solo had been sailing well around the course, taking advantage of the gusts to finish in 4th. Peter Impey was the first ILCA7 to finish, in 6th, with Max McLaughlin the leading Topper.
On handicap, this was an evening for the single handers, with Joe winning ahead of Peter Impey, Matt in the Rooster 8.1 3rd and the first double hander, Chris and William in their Merlin, in 4th position.
This was a good result for Joe and his Solo as he has now consolidated his overall lead, counting four 1sts. Matt P-J in his Rooster8.1 is next with Chris and William Balmbro 3rd in their Merlin. There are still a couple of races to go, and this could lead to place changes as high scores are discarded. So this, and the fact that the next two races mark the end of evening sailing for the year, provide a good reason to sail and make the best of them and of the dwindling summer evenings.
Thanks to Charlie Morgan as OOD and his team of Andrew Craig in the box and Ron Williamson with Philip Worsley in the patrol boat.
Jean-Michel with his team of Alfie and May in the kitchen and bar provided an excellent supper of lasagne and broccoli accompanied by a rocket salad with tomatoes, cucumber and pine nuts. This feast was rounded off by vanilla panna cotta and mixed berries.
Last updated 12:19 on 10 October 2024