The day was sunny and warm first thing at Dittisham Sailing Club last Sunday and more than twenty racers rigged their dinghies and waited and waited for the slightest sign of any wind.

Race officer Bob Thomas told the assembled members that he would wait up to an hour, hoping that the wind would fill in, but no one was very hopeful.

The RYA coach, brought in for a training session, had a larger than expected number of participants and still the Dart looked like a mill pond.

Suddenly, with no warning, out of the blue came a freshening breeze from the east. A short course was set and it was the two Lasers of Peter Symons and Paul Mogridge that took an early lead, followed by Mike Bennett and Brian Perks in their Devon Yawl.

David Thompson was also going well in his Phantom, which really seems to suit him.

Les Moors was also well up in his Solo but it was Bennett who won the race on handicap, followed by Symons and then Mogridge.

The wind had filled in very well by this point, so a longer course over the whole sailing area was used.

Richard Allen made a good start in his Solo and was out up front chasing David Thompson, who was soon out in the lead.

Mike Bennett misjudged his approach to the start and had much ground to make up through the fleet.

The tide was now ebbing strongly and it was the Lasers of Peter Symons and Paul Mogridge that fell foul of an adverse wind shift and tide and dropped a number of places from a promising position.

At the finish Allen sailed well to win on handicap, with Bennett second and Les Moors, who had been fourth in the first race, a creditable third. 

Racing next Sunday, October 14 will be at 3.30pm. 

Results

Third Autumn Points

1 M Bennett, Devon Yawl; 2 P Symons, Laser; 3 P Mogridge, Laser.

 

Fourth Autumn Points

1 R Allen, Solo; 2 M Bennett Devon Yawl; 3 L Moors, Solo.