Omega-Xenon Open at Hawley Lake Sailing Club

The penultimate event for the year was held at Hawley Lake Sailing Club, and what a lovely setting it was. The rain held off, the sun even shone sometimes, and we had a good wind all day. Of course, it being a lake surrounded by trees the strength and direction of the wind altered drastically depending on where you were at the time, but this just adds to the excitement! It was amazing to watch someone open up a huge lead, only to lose it after the next mark as they found a hole in the wind and everyone else caught up – and then become becalmed themselves. There were four races during the event, with a good lunch at half time and sandwiches for tea at the end. Complete with attentive race officers, Hawley Lake proved attentive and considerate hosts.

To show how it should be done, Kevin Moore won all four races – decisively, so it was all about second and third place for the rest of us. Relative newcomers Darren and Karen Layton put in a good show all day with a 2-5-3-4 placing, but old hands Paul Davis with Chris Wye kept up their average with a 3-2-4-2 coming second, and Paul Gardiner with Sue Rowlands came third with a 4-4-2-3. The rest of us played with the wind, losing or gaining half a dozen places in lap. Having a fishing competition taking place on the lake the same day did not help either!

The last event for the year is at Datchet Water Sailing Club on the 22nd of September, together with the AGM, so we look forward to seeing you there.

Overall Results: