2009 Lighthouse Series

Monday 13th April

Still some sunshine and warmth!

Eight boats raced round the lighthouse setting off in a light breeze. Once we got out to the lighthouse the wind all but dropped and the smaller boats were forced to retire, two chose to turn back before they reached the lighthouse. They were faced with the choice of drifting out with the tide or receiving help from the Rescue Boat, again manned by Doug and Paul willingly taking Chris' place - we might not get him into a sailing boat now!

I was on the Dart so was the first round the lighthouse and still had a few minutes of tide to help me start on the way back. For some reason Ian & Barbara thought they were off to Piel!

Just past Crook Perch the wind picked up for me but there appeared to be no wind at all at the lighthouse. The wind seemed to strengthen and the Dart was flying along with me desperately trying to find out how to slow it down. I kept moving aft until all of a sudden I was in the water clinging on to the mainsheet. Needless to say the Dart sort of pitchpoled and ended up on its side. After what seemed a long exhausting time I managed to get it up again but by now Owen had passed me and Giles & Kate were about to. Fortunately for me, Alison, Paul and family sailed around me until I got the thing upright. No one else noticed that I was in the water, at the time of 'entry' they were all round the lighthouse so I was more or less out of sight. Well I've managed to get the Dart back up again and to get back on it so I'm pleased about that but I'm not sure what happened so I'm more than apprehensive about sailing the thing until I can find out how to slow it down or preferrably be confident enough to go with it?

On corrected time Giles was the winner.

Result:

1st - Giles & Kate - Wayfarer - 64' 14" - 17 points
2nd - Owen - GP14 - 68' 00" - 14 points
3rd - Ian & Barbara - GP14 - 73' 53" - 12 points
4th - Michael S - Dart 15 - 69' 45" - 10 points
RTD - Chris - Mirror - 5 points
RTD - Rebecca - Topper - 5 points
RTD - Michael G & Jessica - West Eleven - 5 points
RTD - Alison, Paul & Family - Dabber - 5 points

Big John was on his way to Conwy.

Norman and Lawrence were covered in woad. What had they been up to?

There will be some of us around tomorrow.