Race Officer Peter Proctor faced a problem. There was no wind on the Clynder shore. It was light elsewhere. With wind blowing from the Shandon shore, it was not possible to set a course which included a windward leg and gave a reasonable chance of finishing. As it was, he selected the shortest course, to A, off the club, and back. We got three rounds.
Fickle wind did for most of us at the start. In the final minute, there was both a large header and a reduction in strength. Thia, Zoe and Ceres got away. On such an evening, there were holes. Those who went further out on the way to A sailed in stronger adverse tide and got mixed up with the Sonars and Pipers (who started earlier) as they were sailing downwind. It was enough to let some of the late starters back into the fray.
Thia kept her lead for two rounds but was not setting a spinnaker on the return legs, which led to her dropping back in the end. Zoe faced a challenge from Catriona. She took advantage from a starboard tack approach for the final rounding of A to keep the lead. Soon after the mark, a luff prevented a pass. Then Catriona crept to windward sufficiently to be safe. Variable wind brought the two level. At the line, only the Race Officer knew the result.
1 Catriona, 2 Zoe, 3 Teal, 4 Thia, 5 Hermes, 6 Ceres
President: