The autumn has not been easy for the racers at Dittisham Sailing Club.

Out of the ten races scheduled for the Autumn Points, two races were lost because of the storm at the end of November and most of the others have been held in very little wind.

Last Sunday, however, the last two races in the series were run in perfect sunny and mild conditions with a light to moderate wind from the south west. 

Race officer Jonathan Weeks was deep into his Sunday paper when he suddenly realised that he was late in going to the club. He was lucky, for when he arrived the wind was in the perfect direction to use the starting box as opposed to the committee boat Nikita, which takes longer to organise.

There was a clean start with close encounters throughout the fleet, particularly at the first gybe mark when Les Moors called 'no water' successfully on the five boats inside him.

Sam Mogridge stretched out a lead in his Laser, with Bernard Moles in his newly purchased Solo showing good boat speed.

An incident with Roy Pryor at the next gybe mark saw Barrie Kenyon having to do a 720. Many boats of differing classes were showing similar speed, with the Phantoms unable to take the lead and Mike Bennett in his Devon Yawl keeping up well, after a recent hull cleaning, to take third place.

As usual Bob Thomas sailed consistently to take second in his Solo. 

The good figure-of-eight course remained the same for the second race.

The wind increased which enabled prospective new member Jeremy Car to open up a good lead in his Phantom. Again Sam Mogridge showed superior speed and won on handicap.

A battle developed between Barrie Kenyon in his Laser and Bob Thomas in his Solo. At the finish Bob Thomas was second with Kenyon and Car equal third. This meant that Bob Thomas was the winner of the Autumn Points Series. Fellow Solo sailor Jonathan Weeks was a close second, and David Thompson third in his Phantom. 

The next racing at Dittisham is on Boxing Day when members compete for the magnificent Iceberg Trophy, starting at 11am. This will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Father Christmas hats obligatory, Ho Ho Ho!

 

Results

Autumn Points 9

1 S Mogridge, Laser. 2 R Thomas, Solo. 3 M Bennett and B Perks, Devon Yawl.

 

Autumn Points 10

1 S Mogridge, Laser. 2 R Thomas, Solo. 4th J Car, Phantom and B Kenyon, Laser

 

Autumn Points series

1 R Thomas, Solo. 2 J Weeks, Solo. 3 D Thompson, Phantom