There was a disappointing entry of seven boats owing to exams
still being underway for the Seniors.
Racing started at 11.00 am with a long Olympic course being
set out at sea off Lowestoft. Conditions were smooth with an
offshore breeze from the north-west of about force three dropping
to force 2 as the race proceeded. The tide turned towards the
end of the first race, making the return through thr harbour
tricky for the Brown boats and Dragons, the splashes being alright
as they were launched from the beach.
James Large got a good start and rounded the windward mark in
the lead from Simon Barker and Jacob Brubert. At the leeward
mark Jacob Brubert had managed to get past the two boats in
front, but lost this lead again on the beat to windward. Conditions
were very variable and and James managed to win from Simon Barker
and Tom Barker, with Jacob Brubert finishing a creditable fourth.
Conditions for the second race were less wind, a strong ebb
tide and showery. The start of the race was postponed whilst
the race officer relaid the course since the wind had shifted
around to the west, eventually getting the boats off.
In the tricky conditions there were a number of upsets, the
worst being David Matthews who, having got to the windward mark
well in the lead, then had to watch in frustration as the rest
of the fleet sailed past in the fluky wind conditions. Certain
people were observed rounding the mark under the adverse tidal
conditions by deliberately hauling themselves around the mark
by hand, and then doing their penalty turns afterwards. Only
one lap was held, with Tom Barker winning from Nathan Ackroyd
and Simon Barker.
