Sunday 8th October 2006

WEATHER: Warm, light breeze, F2
FORECAST: Wind to build later and it did!!

Sailability crews arrived early, with plenty of chatting. As only 4 Tepcos were available, it was decided to use one Access 303 and one Challenger as well.
There was plenty of activity as boats were rigged and launched and crews allocated to boats. Meanwhile the wind started to build, generating more excited chatter in the group. I was concerned whether the boats had too much canvas, but kept these thoughts to myself. The boats lined up as follows:-

Tepco A Rea with Bob and Colin
Tepco 3 Michael with Jim and Bert
Tepco 6 Dani with Ivor
Tepco 2 Dave V with Tim
Access D.J. with Pat
Challenger Dave C

RACE 1
Dave Cooper was helped aboard the Challenger and launched first, sailing with the main fleet on his handicap time. The rest of the boats then made their way to the start line at the far end of the lake. We kept clear until the last of the fast boats had started. The Race Officer agreed to give us a start when we were all near the line (thanks Chris). Half way up the beat the boats started to spread out, with Jim and Dave building a good lead. The wind was still building with white tops on the waves and the gusts getting stronger. Steve and Carl in the rescue boat kept a close eye on everybody and all rounded the windward mark safely. The offwind legs were much easier for the Sailability crews. First boat round the leeward mark was Tim and Dave followed by Dani and Ivor. Pat then made a bad tactical decision which resulted in going aground but Steve and Carl did a sterling job towing the Access off the shallows and enabling D.J to continue his battle with Rea, Colin and Bob and Jim, Michael and Bert. Up the beat for a second time and a finish at the windward mark. Jim Michael and Bert challenged Tim and Dave for first position but were beaten on the line. Tim and Dave were home first, with rest of the fleet finishing in the same positions. Boats safety tied up, the crews made their way up to the canteen for some well-earned lunch.

RACE 2
During lunch break the wind increased and was whistling through the masts and riggings with plenty of white water on the lake. After a brief discussion it was decided to use the smaller sails on the Tepcos. Boats were now rigged for heavy weather except for the Access, as D.J. and Pat reckoned they could cope with the conditions. With the small sails and the wind increasing a small triangular course was set in front of the Clubhouse. Steve and Carl were co-opted as Race officers in addition to their rescue duties. The race was started smartly and very soon Tim and Dave emerged as clear leaders, rounding the windward mark with a good lead, with the rest of us swapping places. Start of the second lap D.J. and Pat made their move steaming past us and the other Tepcos with Tim and Dave in their sights. Rea, Colin and Bob closed up on Dani and Ivor with Michael, Bert and Jim following. Tim and Dave just managed to hold D.J. off at the finish, with Dan and Ivor next, beating Rea, Colin and Bob by a whisker (reckon there should have been a photo), and Michael Bert and Jim not far behind.

Well done everyone on a good day’s racing. I hope you all enjoyed the day. Many thanks to Sue Vail for all the admin.

Thanks again to BSTC for loan of the Tepcos.

Thanks to Race Officer (Chris Faerber) and all his crew for looking out for us.

Ivor Quelch
Burghfield Sailing Club Sailability Group