After a postponement and early lunch waiting for the breeze the afternoon (and to be only) start was scheduled for 1.45pm. As boats drifted out to the start line in hope the wind would fill in ripples appeared across the lake. Was this the forecasted wind we were due? No, it was not! So the drifting conditions remained all be it with the old flicker of hope once in a while.

 

A confident Ben Rolfe left the line at the committee boat end with speed. Was this the magical "Speed Six" doing its stuff? Early in the race Ben was chased closely by dad, Nigel, until he was able to pull away to what looked like an unassailable lead. Newbie Rob Beere was making the most of the light conditions and for a while was the 3rd Aero on the water losing out to Nigel (his old Laser rival!) who managed to get the advantage on the shifts on the only windward leg with any breeze. Rob Ahleid in one of the charter boats demonstrated the need for caution on the less grippy surfaces near the bow as he slid in to leeward for a quick dip but, it did win him the "Most Bizarre Award". Peter Barton after a poor start slowly came through to challenge Ben right at the end for the top places and prestige in being No1 Aero. In a tight finish top Aero and 4th overall went to Ben by a boat length as he wrestled the lead back off Peter in the final minute.

Well done to Frensham for putting on the event, making everyone feel so welcome and making the most of the situation to have some fun on a fairly windless day. Hopefully more wind next year!

 

Fantastic for the Class to manage nine entries on such a windless rainy day a quarter of the total! There were many positive comments from passing club members who showed interest and are keen to join our demos coming up at other venues in the forthcoming weeks.

 

More and larger pics HERE.