Eighteen Mirrors turned up to race at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club on Saturday June 11th. The weather was unpredictable all day and the wind was just the same, with the breeze coming over the clubhouse. However, a great days racing was had by all. There were a few dramas before racing as the Grayson girls’ main halyard came untied on shore and slipped out of the mast – Uh oh! Luckily Pete L-R was on hand to save the day and the girls sailed the rest of the day with their sailed tied to the top of the mast with a piece of rope.
Race 1 began slightly off schedule, because of a postponement caused by the lack of wind. What a flukey beat! A wind shift shortly after GO had made the line massively biased and some wind was filling in on the left. This wind brought a massive lift and Matt and Ben and Sarah and George were lucky enough to get lifted about 45 degrees higher than the boats who were on the same tack as them but not in the wind!! The race finished with Rory Mackenzie and Oliver Winder first, Scott and Adam Bromley second and Matt and Ben Lulham-Robinson in third.
Race 2. The wind picked up for the second race and we had a far better beat. First round the windward mark was Emma and Reg closely followed by Scott and Adam who then took the girls’ wind and planed past them. Another knot of five boats made it exciting for the spectators in the clubhouse as they were all fighting for the best position on the reach. Along the next beat Emma and Reg chose the correct side and a fantastic gain which put them into pole position. The wind was so unpredictable that two of the better boats went for a swim! Just a note for everyone next time, to avoid getting wet and cold – zip up your drysuit!!!!! Emma and Reg kept their lead to win that race with Matt and Ben second and Rory and Oliver third.
Race 3 saw Sarah and George retired and three boats were battling it out for the top spot. The wind dropped again for the third race and yet again flukey wind shifts made the beat very biased. Emma and Reg were first round the windward mark closely followed by Matt and Ben and Rory and Oliver. It turned out to be a real ‘cat and mouse’ finale. On the last two legs Matt and Ben were eating away at the girls’ lead and just as they were about to overtake them the shortened course flag was raised and the girls’ crossed the finish line seconds before Matt and Ben.
Emma and Rachel Grayson first Rory Mackenzie and Oliver Winder second Matt and Ben Lulham-Robinson third
Finally I would like to thank the race officer and the galley for the lunch and afternoon tea and all the other people who helped to make the event possible including all the competitors who turned up for an excellent event.
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