A wild one!
Published 20:58 on 26 May 2025
Sunday 25th May
The race report today is from the pen of Sara Bell.
A feisty met office forecast for today saw the number of boats rigging for todays May regatta diminished to 9.
Race Officer Les, after lots of input from the racers, set an uncomplicated figure of 8 course. 3p 1p Yp 6s 9s through the line.
So a good long beat up to the first mark. The line was expertly set by Safety Boat Helm Peter (phantom menace) Jacobs and his crew Dave Barker. More about this daring duo later in this report.
Race 1:
Nine boats hit the line for race 1. The race got off to a clean start. Kieron (Aero 5) made it to the first mark ahead of Matt (Solo) and Jeremy (Lightning) the two Miracles were battling it out all the way with Dave and Shan pipping Simon and Julie to the first mark. In the mean time the Laser sailors Brian(full) and Ian (4.7) were both messing about in the water and when Ians boom came away from the gooseneck.
Kieron (Aero 5) was, of course, blasting around the lake doing laps in under 7 mins but it wasnt plain sailing not even for Kieron who took a sneaky bath rounding mark three on lap 2. Even the sailors that didnt take a swim were soaked through because of copious the spray from their bows waves. Ian did a fantastic job with a stylish cartwheeling dive during a heavy gybe at 6 on his last lap. At the line Kieron was first on the water with a finish time of 41 mins followed by Jeremy second and Matt third.
Race 2:
Then there were five! Before the second race could start we had an important communication from the safety boat. The Commodore had neglected to place his bacon butty order! Luckily Vicki was there on shore to relay the message to Dot in the Galley. So now we could start the race only 5 boats after some retirees during race 1. The boats had a much closer start in this race with Kieron tacked away early followed by Simon and Julie in the Miracle, leaving the rest of the fleet on starboard tack towards west shore. One by one they made their tacks heading for number 3. All 5 boats had made good progress towards 3 but it was Kieron that rounded first followed by Matt (Solo), then Ian (4.7) who snuck in ahead of Jeremy (Lightning). The sailors were clearly enjoying the leg from Y to 6 and Jeremy went screaming past as Ian very kindly slowed down to give the others chance to catch up. Matt steadily increased his lead over Jeremy as the race progressed. In the meantime Kieron was whizzing round making it all look fairly effortless. Dave and Shan (Miracle) got the shortened course flag (4 laps) much to Shans obvious joy or thats what we thought the whooping was for? Followed by Matt Jeremy and Ian (5 laps) and Kieron (6 laps). So it was Kieron, Jeremy and Ian on corrected time. It was time for a well earned lunch.
Race 3:
And then there were four! As we headed towards the flags to start the third and final race we were struggling to see them. On arrival we found them horizontal in the grass. Does that mean its too windy we pondered? However boats were already leaving the shore making their way to the start line, four boats, their intrepid crews and helms. It was definitely getting spicy. Simon and Julie gracefully capsized before the starting flag, and the safety boat had to be called in to rescue their wayward sponge.
The race started cleanly with Ian (4.7) making it to the 1st mark before the others, followed by James (Supernova). Never far from the front of the fleet Jeremy was close behind. Simon and Julie were heading for the shore with water to the gunwales turns out they had to retire due to loss of flaps! James then decided to take an extended swim, leaving only three boats to battle it out. Ian took a commanding lead in the 4.7, but Jeremy is not one to give up. However he just could not catch him.
Dave and Shan took the first hooter (4 laps) and third place. Much more celebrating was heard coming from the Miracle.
Ian took the next hooter and with that first place, followed by Jeremy who, after a sneaky chicken gybe at 6 made it to 2nd place.
Thanks to everyone who made it such an enjoyable day, especially the safety boat team of Peter and Dave who safely towed a few boats back to the beach today. Well done all who took to the water and good luck to all who now have boat repairs to do. It was a wild one today.
Overall status after six Regatta races:
1. Kieran Lewis (Aero 5), 2. Ian Duncan (Laser 4.7), 3. Jeremy Cooper (Lightning).
Photo: Vicki Hall
More photos and video from Vicki and Sara B on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShotwickLakeSailingClub/
Last updated 21:30 on 26 May 2025
