The last time for the Maersk Trophy as we know it!
After a fantastic boat tuning tutorial from Anil, the fleet set off in a light breeze from the west. The first battle came while trying to leave the weed infested area just off the club's slipway – some boats took longer than others crossing the bar!
The start found a couple of boats caught in the wind shadow off the club while Tinkerbell made a clear leading start just to leeward of the IDM. Curlew was a little late for the start but moved quickly up through the fleet. At the windward mark Tally-ho had a clear lead that was held for the entire race. With all spinnakers flying the fleet sailed down to the Rear Commodore’s Rocks – with some changes of position between Tinkerbell and Curlew. The beat back up to the windward mark brought the usual lifts and backs and although the positions did not change significantly, Gale force moved up the fleet to join the battle for 2nd and 3rd place.
Again, rounding the Rear Commodore’s Rocks, while Curlew and Tinkerbell were having a good-natured luffing match Gale Force stormed through into 2nd position. Spinnakers flying, except for TallyHo, whose halyard had broken, the fleet sailed the penultimate leg to 10. The last beat up to the finish again showed us that Bolgoda Lake breezes can be fickle and tricky. Tinkerbell tacked east into clear wind after rounding the mark, while Gale Force took a more westerly route. Curlew split the difference and sailed a middle route which paid off well and she crossed the line in second place, Tinkerbell crossed the line a shackle pin's width in front of Gale Force.
Our marvellous octogenarian laser finished in 5th place. It was wonderful to see nine boats on the water. The course was cunningly devised by the officer of the day Fergus Whiteside and the race was completed in just under an hour. So the youngest helm took the largest trophy – well done Dhanika, and the youngest crew, Max (4), who found the race a little boring, tried his hand at fishing on the downwind legs.
In the concurrent fleet race Roshanara - sailing in Lang - crossed over the line in 2nd place.
