Wimbleball Lake Staff Fusion Regatta

Ella Williams taking 1st place in the first race of the Wimbleball Lake Staff Fusion Regatta © Maddy Shaw

Angus MacAllister took the overall regatta win in the Wimbleball Lake Staff Fusion Regatta © Jude Onody

On Friday 29th July, 15 instructors at Wimbleball Lake took to the water in Fusions for our first staff regatta. After a postponement in hope of more wind, conditions remained light and variable throughout the regatta.

There was great contention over boat allocation as boats 1-6 had standard sails with a sail area of 5.25m2 whereas boats 7-18 had pro sails with 6.45m2 sail area. We contacted Fusion HQ about this but were told that the PY was the same so decided to put it to the test.

The first race saw a beat to mark 7, followed by a reach to mark 4 and back through the line. Many lost momentum around the leeward mark due to shifty wind, typical of Wimbleball from the undulating landscape.

After the first race, some of the sailors retired due to ever diminishing wind. Those that remained swapped boats, first place with last, to see whether it was sailor or sail area causing the results.

The second race saw a shortened course starting with a beat to mark 7 and back around ODM to cross the line. Wind conditions were more favourable for this race, as the course stayed within the main body of the lake.

For the third and final race, sailors swapped boats again so that everybody had the faster pro sails in the hope that it would be a fair competition. The wind picked up slightly so the course was set to mark Z, mark Y and ODM. Unfortunately, Angus MacAllister set off from the start for mark Y but managed to maintain his lead even after correcting the mistake.

Overall race results show that the pro sails are notably faster, particularly when paired with a new hull (boats 8 and 18). All sailors thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and it has been decided to become an annual event!

Thanks must go to our safety boat team and photographers, as well as all those who prepared the BBQ for afterwards. A special mention also to Colin Allen and Kate Kelly who stepped in at last minute as race officers and did an excellent job.

Overall Results: (only includes sailors from all 3 races)