MALCOLM Bird was officer of the day for racing at Roadford Lake on Sunday. He delayed the start due to 40 lasers launching for the youth training weekend.
Strong SW winds force 4-5 with gusts of up to 6 swept down the lake creating a two to three foot swell. The course was set at the dam end of
the lake leaving the far end to the lasers. Malcolm set a triangular course with the cafe buoy as the windward mark.
Watching the gust and eddies, the lasers capsize and a mast break, Roger Ford and Val Shilitto decided not to launch their Wayfarer. Len Pennington was in the rescue boat and after further debate Mike Kinger with Nicky Buckett decided to go along with a Dart.
The boats set off but the cat retired. Mike and Nicky continued to complete the course, several times only just avoiding going for a swim when hit by strong gusts. Len was in the rescue boat only a few boat lengths behind all the time.
The sailing was exhilarating but not for the faint-hearted. Mike Kinger and Nicky Buckett came first and started the second race to win that.