2nd - 3rd June

Girton Sailing Club

Report by Dennis Southwell

Race 1.

12 boats were on the line for the Girton Puddleduck meeting, 2 nd June, for a two day event. Brilliant sunshine greeted the competitors with very light airs and the hope of stronger breezes to follow. The fleet got away to a clear start, with both sides of the course being chosen on the first beat. After the first beat, the first boat, Geoff Phillips/3812 had established a lead over Ian Downs/4008 with John Bailey/3825 close by and David Raines/3740 closing in. at the end of the first lap, Geoff had a healthy lead over David in second place and Ian in third place.

With the wind dying off it produced very difficult conditions especially for the back markers. David/3740 and Geoff/3812 battling for the lead led to 3740 having to do a 720 to let 3812 push on establishing a lead at the end of the leg with Ian/4008 in third place.

Halfway through the third lap Ian/4008 shot into the lead, followed by 3740 with 3812 in third. At the end of the third lap, David/3740 gained the lead followed by Geoff/3812 and Ian/4008 in third. This was the final placing

Race 2. Slightly more wind greeted the competitors for the 2nd race. A clean start with the first leg boats chasing David/3740 followed by Jon Aldhous/3794, but quickly overtaken by Geoff/3812 and Peter Cuthbert/3747 establishing himself in 3 rd place at the end of the first lap. Close racing between the three boats throughout the race, with a second group close racing between John/3825, Ian /4008, Jon/3794 and Adrian/3835. The final placings were David/3740, Geoff/3812, Peter/3747.

Race 3. On Sunday. The fine weather continued with a slightly stronger breeze but with some tricky conditions. At the starting gun Ian /4008 got a flyer and rounded the first mark in front. Peter/3747 quickly closed him down, taking the lead. Chased by David/3740 who obtained second place on the spinnaker leg and at the start of the second leg gained the lead once more. The final placings being David/3740, Peter/3747, and Geoff /3812 coming through strong in third place.

Race 4. At the start of the race John Bailey/3825 had the best start with

Geoff/3812 Quickly chasing towards the front. In similar tricky conditions the final placings were, David/3740, Geoff/3812 and Carl Cripps/3824 in third.

Race 5 Another clean start but without David Raines to allow the seconfd place to be contested. At the end of the fist lap Jon Aldhous/3794, Adrian/3835 and Peter/3747 were leading with Geoff/3812 pushing forward to establish his second place in the meeting. At the end of the second lap Jon/3794 held the lead with Peter/3747 close on his transom and Geoff/3812 followed closely in third place, with Adrian/3835 dropping back to forth. On the next leg Peter/3747 took the lead with Geoff/3812 in second place. This then developed into a hard fought contest for the race winner and at the final gun the race order of Geoff/3812, Peter/3747 and Jon/3794.

This ensured that Geoff Phillips took second place overall for meeting and Peter Cuthbert third place.

Ian Downs/4008 on three occasions off the line, was the first round the first mark, so he has obviously got his starting procedure right.

Final Results Table