Sunday 26th November

Sunday 26th November

Fabrice Boone’s homework and improved technique moved him closer to the top of the leaders board through some outstanding sailing over the weekend.

For some Sunday’s dull grey skies and southerly winds brought a dampener to another fantastic Holiday Coast weekend. But Saturdays setting sun- red at night sailors delight, turned out to be a truism.

A strong southerly breeze ran down the Lake making conditions ideal for sailing. The wind, building to around 18 knots during the afternoon was constant from the south. The course for the day was set close to the shore and immediately adjacent to the sailing club. This provided an ideal opportunity for the spectators to get a good view of the racing.

As the boats jockeyed for position pre race the wind gathered strength and as the race started it was Machon/ Anderson first over the start line, closely followed by Brian Bath, Tom Dalton, Les Turner and Fabrice Boone.

Working to the top mark was as easy as bowling out the English top order. It was at the top mark and, as the boats reached across to the mark closest to the shore, the boats powered up and careened towards the shore. It was this mark that saw many boats capsize as the crews went hard into the gybe at the mark. Several boats either capsized or had such near missed one would have thought the trapeze wire antics were more Circus Du Sole than sailing skill.

At the end of the first race it was Brian Bath first, Machon/Anderson second and Tom Dalton third.

The second race saw the winds ease and the crews again work hard into the wind then enjoy a wild ride down wind along the shore. It was this race that saw Fabrice Boone take the opportunity to demonstrate his improved skills and it was Fabrice on his Maricat 5.0 win on corrected time by an outstanding 5 minutes.

Line honours in the second race went again to Brian Bath who was simply too fast for the rest of the boats and again finished the day with two wins from two starts.