2012 The Second Race in the Lighthouse Series
Monday 9th April 2012 - Glasson Sailing Club
Michael Swarbrick was again OOD, still on antibiotics, and the Patrol Boat was crewed by Doug Gorton, this time riding solo.
Another dull day but his time rather wet to add to the disappointment. Barbara came to sail with Ian but elected to stay in the clubhouse. Only Ian and Robin had turned up to race. No doubt many sailors had been put off by the high winds forecast for Sunday and Monday and the rain was probably the last straw.
It was a lighthouse race but Michael considered it was too inclement to battle out to the lighthouse so he set them off towards the lighthouse to keep within the spirit of the meeting.
The wind was mostly southerly F2/3. The course was set at Ss - Cp - Es - Ds - Ss, an unusual course but an experimental one designed to keep the boats out of the way of large ships who usually arrive at the end of the first race.
Both boats got away to a good start in the first race keeping almost neck and neck - Robin OK, Ian Topper.
until they disappeared into the gloom (Exaggeration). The mark they are heading for is somewhat to the right but it wasn't easy to pick out in the rain - Doug said it was quite ethereal on the water and difficult to see.
Doug. Doug turns out in the Patrol Boat every Easter that there is racing, all four days, but he's never been on the water more than three days!
We are now in the second race and Robin is completing his first lap.
The course was Ss - Bs - 18s - Ss - three laps for Robin and two for Ian.
Ian finishing his first lap. Now a complication two more boats entered the race.
The Pilot Boat and Arklow Spray - Robin is completing his final lap closely followed by Arklow Spray.
The theory that ships arrive before High Water was somewhat disproved!
There was time for another race but the contestants were getting cold by now. Both Ian and Robin were glad they had turned out.
The variation in light in the photographs is because I 'played' around with some of them.
Lighthouse Series Standings - Abbey Light Trophies - one for the best crewed boat and one for the best single-hander.