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NEWS

www.GBR203.co.uk

Well the 2008 season has started, and things are looking very promising!! My thanks to John for running for me all weekend and putting up with my ’DIVA’ tantrums.

 

I arrived early on the Saturday morning to a bright and sunny Clacton. Very little wind was blowing but the forecast looked promising. After a short debate with coach ‘John’ I decided to rig all 4 race sails ranging from the 9m through to the 5.5m.

 

Race briefing was at 10 O’clock with racing to start at 1100. The wind was picking steadily all morning and by the time I launched I went on the Manta 67 and the 6.5m Vapour. I was very pleased to find that this was the perfect combination for the conditions and went for a steady warm up.

 

As the first heat approached I made my way up to the start gate and prepared for the 1st race. All started fairly well with a good positive start. Half way round the course the wind started to drop and I soon dropped off the plane. I persevered around the course to secure a 5th place finish.

 

I rushed to the beach where John ran me out the 9m with the Manta 80. I launched and got myself back out to the start gate for the 2nd race. I was quite overpowered but did not have time to change the boom over to the 7.5m rigged only on the mast on the beach.

 

The 2nd race started again very well and I came steadily round the course. Sitting in 2nd place. As I came round the last mark heading for the finish line I realised there was great confusion as to where and how the finish line was going to work. I approached the finish line only to see Adrian Wallace fall in just before the line. As I crossed the line I bore up wind hard to ensure my 1st place.

 

There was just enough time to put the boom on the 7.5m and head back out for the 3rd heat. Once again the start was good and I was heading down towards the 1st mark in 2nd place. I took the course steady dropping one gybe on the 3rd. I was quick to water start and managed to stay and finish in 2nd place.

 

After lunch we were back out onto the water. The wind had swung round to more onshore preventing us from being able to make the marks. We ran 2 heats in the afternoon session in a difficult sea with a very strong current running. Both the heats in the afternoon where abandoned as the course was un-sailable.

 

My final position as we finished for the day was a very respectable 1st place. We went off for a celebration Chinese and beer that evening in what has to be described as a very odd town.

 

We arrived back on the beach at 0900 on Sunday morning to another beautiful morning. There was a very light breeze blowing but not enough t o race.

 

Following a very long wait the committee called a race start at 1430 as the wind picked up to over 14 knots. I launched quickly to warm up and was very comfortable on the Manta 80 and the 7.5m. I sailed the figure of 8 course several times and felt really composed. I headed out to the start line just in time for the 3 minute flag.

 

As the countdown to the race started the wind dropped. I went for the start line and was pumping like crazy to try and get going as I watched Paul and Adrian pulling away. I got planing and got to the 1st mark where again I had to work hard to get planing again. At the 2nd mark that was it, I did not have enough wind. I managed to get round the remaining legs of the course to finish in 3rd place.

 

That was it for the weekend. I had a final position of 3rd place. I of course was disappointed to have dropped 2 places, but sometimes luck does not go your way. I am now looking forward to the next event at Minster at the beginning of June.