WHAT wind there was came from the south and the start was therefore towards Dam Green buoy. However there was so little propulsive power that the two Solos in the race – Dave Perrett’s and Adam Hilton’s – were both facing towards the top of the Lake when the starting horn blew.

Nathan Pollard’s new (to him) Aero 7 got round Dam Green first with Bob Sampson’s Laser (a craft designed some half century before the Aero) second.

Jane Anderson’s Topper got ahead of Liam Routley’s fast-starting Laser Radial which left Vicki Duncalf’s Topper to go round the buoy in front of the tardy Solo pair.

The breezes frequently disappeared leaving helms drifting; three disheartened sailors retired.

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 7); 2 Bob Sampson (Laser Full); 3 Jane Anderson (Topper); 4 Dave Perrett (Solo); 5 Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate). Retired: Adam Hilton (Solo), Liam Routley (Laser Radial), Vicki Duncalf (Topper).

THE formula had Dave Perrett in his Solo starting first and Nathan Pollard in the Aero 7 starting last, some eight minutes later.

The wind, still a gentle force 2 to 3 but now from the north east, was at least more consistent for the afternoon race.

In the 58 minutes allotted, Dave Perrett got away well and looked as though he might retain his position at the front.

Liam Routley spent the race passing and being passed by the Pollard/Routley Graduate but Nathan Pollard’s Aero made its relentless way through the fleet and took over the lead.

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 7); 2 Dave Perrett (Solo); 3 Liam Routley (Laser Radial); 4 Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Graduate). Retired: Bob Sampson (Laser Full).

Thanks were given to race organiser Sue Murray and photographer Mandy Pollard.