Winter Blaster 9th December
This proved to be an interesting morning`s racing. The weather forecast had threatened significant gusty wind, but in the end it proved to be a sunnyish day, the wind mainly top of a three, varying between NW and W depending upon location. The course W64N1( apparently NOT based on a Wigan post code) all to port, re introduced us to our old dear friend buoy B, notoriously close to the headland, now masquerading as buoy no. 6. This resulted in a tricky leg from 6 to 4, where the decision had to be made whether to risk going close to the shore or taking a longer route further out and sticking with the spinnaker. Although it worked to stay out on the first lap, it did not for the second and the correct choice certainly affected the fleet order.
4 boats competed with Eric and Bills tactical decisions giving them first place, followed by Dan and Neil and third place going to Robin and Gio. Geoff and Jim almost grabbed the third place on the finishing line , evidently having been unavoidably delayed by a 720 turn which one detected from the post race conversation had helped to make their morning more complete.
The second race start signals either caught three of the four boats unaware or were somewhat conspicuous by their absence, in any event the fleet was pretty spread out from the start. Early on Dan and Neil opted for the alternative of the first lunch sitting. This time Geoff and Jim decided to keep away from the other boats and led for most of the race. However, on the finish line there was a reversal of the first race with a late challenge from Robin and Gio. Referral to the Race Officer and examination of the photo finish awarded first place to Geoff and Jim, despite earnest spell casting from the Lapland Elf on Ffoxglove.
Next weekend will provide the last two races of the Winter Blaster and then a two weekend break until January 6th (apart from the Boxing Day Bottle), so why not come and join us next weekend for some racing before the pleasures of the Christmas domestic routine sets in?
Regards
Robin
