LIAM Routley in the Laser Radial was the first to cross the start line with Vicki Duncalf’s Topper second.

The winds were racing over the Dam from the south with vicious gusts blackening the Lake waters. Everyone had hoisted the smallest sails available to them but there were nonetheless several capsizes during the race.

Dave Perrett’s Solo and Harriet Cox’s Laser 4.7 followed the leaders round Dam Green, the first buoy, and as the lap continued went past the little Topper which had slipped to last at the end of the first lap.

However by the end of the second, various capsizes and other mishaps had enabled Vicki to get up to fourth place behind the consistent third-placed Bosun of Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley.

At the front, Dave’s small-sailed Solo continually threatened to catch Liam’s Laser, but did not do so until rigging problems on the Laser put Dave ahead on the last tack of the last lap.

The handicap rewarded Vicki’s efforts but demoted Dave.

Results: 1 Vicki Duncalf (Topper); 2 Liam Routley (Laser Radial); 3 Dave Perrett (Solo); 4 Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun); 5 Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7); 6 Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7).

THREE hardy helms signed on and were rewarded with gentler winds as the 60 minutes of a Pursuit race were cut to 30.

Harriet Cox started first with the Pollard Bosun starting a minute later and Dave Perrett following after two and a half minutes. The Solo quickly over-hauled the Bosun.

Results: 1 Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7); 2 Dave Perrett (Solo); 3 Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun).

Grateful thanks were given to Adam Hilton, officer of the day, and to Bob Sampson and Nathan Pollard in the safety boat.