SAILING BEMBRIDGE SC
A DOZEN Illusions came out to play in sunshine and pleasant westerly winds on Saturday.
National champion James Meaning was there to prove again he is the best in class and did not disappoint. He is always fast in light airs but this time Graham Bailey also got to grips and both where vying for top places.
Further back was Rudy Jurg, booking a few third places and trading position regularly with Julia Bailey, while newcomer Steve Warren Smith managed a fourth place in last race of the day.
On Sunday, the wind shifted to a bitterly Northerly wind, and the balaclavas, thermal gloves, hats and skiing goggles came out again.
In the stronger breeze, Graham and Julia Bailey took top position in almost every race.
Gallant efforts by Meaning to defend his lead did not work.
In the mix was Bill Daniels, booking a few third places to his own surprise and delight.
After eight races, Graham Bailey took first overall, followed by Meaning in second and Julia Bailey in third.
BRADING HAVEN YC
A biting easterly wind meant a depleted field for the final two races of the club’s Icebreaker series.
Only three Scows took to the water, but despite the conditions, competition was hot with Mike Bottoms joining Graeme Bowen and Barry Dyer in their continuing battle for the coveted trophy.
Although Bowen started the day leading the competition, Bottom, and Dyer made him work hard, with some very close sailing right round the two-lap course.
Dyer and Bowen swapped the lead on almost a tack by tack basis but Bowen got the better of Dyer as they returned towards the finish line for the final time to take the gun from him and a fast-finishing Bottoms.
Unfortunately for Bottoms, the second shorter race turned into a match race when he was capsized by an unexpected gust during the starting sequence.
Dyer once again got the better start with Bowen hot on his heels, however the longer beat section in this race clearly suited Dyer sailing in home waters to take the advantage over his Yarmouth rival in winning by a short margin and to balance the series wins of four each.
Despite this, Bowen retained the trophy by three points.
GURNARD SC
It was another bitterly cold day for second early bird race in Gurnard Bay last Sunday, but for the 21 starters there was some good sailing to be had.
There were a couple of capsizes in the cats but Carl Blenkinsop recovered to take second behind a distant Robin Leather with Dave Downer third.
Brett Aarons took an early lead in the fast group as Martin Scott’s Sprint took a while to round the windward mark. Keith Hayden had the misfortune to drop it in close to the finish line, taking third place as a result.
Martin Harrison’s RS300 joined the medium fleet and took on the RS500 of Derek Ness who got home first on the water and on handicap.
Martin Bean was the first Laser, in fourth place.
The Picos in the final group handled the gusts well upwind, with Mike Peddar leading Sam Metcalf to the finish.