IC Nationals Day 1 & International Canoe Week Day 4 at Stone Sailing Club

The fleet awoke to a 'Grey Day' and a building breeze. Two races were sailed on Thursday - the first race also dual purpose for the Canoe Week results.

After tallying in the 'I'll Compete' box, 25 helms ventured forth. The cloud had lifted and the sun now out. With a plethora of green coloured hulls, it was a little like 'March of the Gherkins'.

With wind over tide, it was a case of minimising 'Mistakes'. Richard Bowers 'Never Ask(ed) Twice' and crossed the fleet with a perfect port end start.

Mark Godchild and Shaun Anderson vied for the title of 'The Wizard' by rounding the windward mark in first and second.

Robin Wood benefited from an inept tack and resultant capsize from yours truly to sail off for the win... 'That's The Way To Do It'. It was a 'Crying Shame' that Dave Timpson capsized 20m from the finish when in third place.

Race two was started after a delay for resetting the marks, and the breeze built to over 20 knots, the tide got stronger and the chop got choppier... 'Madness!'

Al Warren was 'Solid Gone' until probing the depth at the gybe mark. Robin 'Waltz into Mischief' with a beautiful, if somewhat 'Overdone', invertion on a bear away, and I went 'One Step Beyond' from the first race.

After four laps, the fleet were relieved it was 'Time for Tea' and returned to the safety of the club.

Thanks, as always, to Wendy (OD) and her team... this time including Suggs.

IC Nationals after Day 1: (top five)

1. Gareth Caldwell
2. Robin Wood
3. Phil Robin
4. Al Warren
5. Steve Clarke

Canoe Week: (top five)

1. Robin Wood
2. Mike Fenwick
3. Gareth Caldwell
4. Tony Marston
5. John Ellis