Gusts more fickle than a politician seeking a second term…

By By M. Hawkes – 29/10/2023

The first of the winter series greeted nine Lasers with a flood tide and glimpses of sun between clouds. A fresh breeze with some gusts more fickle than a politician seeking a second term and a strong ebb tide made for challenging conditions on a figure of eight course around C and B. As so often seems to be the case, the crossing point of the river dictated who arrived first at the windward mark and for me anyway, beating across tide with a shifty wind meant that the boat never felt comfortable and any change in direction was exaggerated by the tide.

Our resident boat Jedi, Steve Videlo was there to show us the way in the first race but sadly kept too far ahead for any serious on the water coaching. In a move which left most of us shaking our heads, unsure whether to be appalled or just in awe and probably both, Steve elected to start a few minutes behind the fleet in the second race to then catch and pass each boat and win.

A strong showing from Toby Bush in both races, demonstrating considerable skill to stay ahead of the fleet of full rigs in a radial and acing the second start. Cooney and Hodge took third and fourth and then swapped to the same position in the second, whilst legend Tim Archer doggedly completed both races, demonstrating that a detailed knowledge of the rules is no help in capsize. A very warm welcome to Tom Miller and Jon Ramsay, Tom completing his first races in tidal waters and Jon, his first time in a Laser. We look forward to seeing them both out next week.