Flat calm and drizzle greeted the fifteen competitors on Saturday morning. After a long postponement a very light breeze developed from the approximately expected direction and the race officer started a race around 3:00pm. New owner Richard Anthony and his sister in 3715 led at the first mark and looked set to sail away. However, it was not to be and at the next windward mark, Pip Hudson and Mason King in 3889 slipped inside to take the lead. The ensuing run saw the first two boats go high in a vain attempt to keep their spinnakers filling. This let Bob Tait and Pete Comber in 4051 sail through on a private puff. On the second lap the wind died completely and after an agonising drift, 4051 won convincingly. Only three boats finished the course. Further racing was abandoned for the day. The fleet then enjoyed a fish and chip supper and socialised late into the evening.

As everyone arrived on Sunday morning they were again greeted by a flat calm. Reference to the wind reports suggested that there was some wind around and so the fleet was held ashore. Patience was eventually rewarded with a 5 to 8 mph Southerly breeze allowing the second race to start around 1:00pm. Brian Turner and Jackie in 3707 escaped and established a lead that they never relinquished. Behind them, 3889 eventually pulled through to second with 3715 third.

With the wind holding the race officer quickly adjusted the course and commenced the third race.

This time Reg Mulley and Peter in 3752 escaped and again 3889 after a poor start scrambled up to second with another relatively new owner Simon Hayes and Mick Musgrave in 3401 pipping 3707 on the line for third.

With the wind now easing, a fourth race was quickly started. At the front Neil and Stuart Bartholomy in 3873 had a battle royal with Brian and Jackie in 3707. Behind them there was lots of congestion around the leeward marks from which Pip and Mason in 3889 eventually emerged in third position on the water. However, just behind the bunch, Steve Carmichael and Wally Santer in their classic 2845 were going well and with the benefit of their classic handicap won the race demoting the on the water winner 3873 to second and costing Brian and Jackie the overall win.

And so overall, 3889 won with 3707 second, 3752 third and 2845 a very creditable forth and winner of the Broxbourne Classic trophy.

In summary, a tricky weekend, and all credit to the race team for getting four races in. A good social time was had by all while waiting for the wind to fill in.

Report by Pip Hudson

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