IT WAS not so much the strength of the wind but the brutality of the gusts which made sailing difficult.

Dave Perrett and Adam Hilton abandoned their Solos and put small sails on a Bosun as did Brian Pollard and Tash Routley.

Nathan Pollard’s Aero flew a 6; rare visitor Steve Axford had a Radial on his Laser, Liam Routley also.

The Aero got off well as did the Bosuns, the Hilton/Perrett boat leading its Pollard/Routley sister until Inlet where they changed places after a difficult gibe.

Liam Routley was dealing admirably with the conditions but mistook the course a couple of times and retired. Nathan Pollard finished with a four-minute lead over Steve Axford.

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 6); 2 Steve Axford (Laser Radial); 3 Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun); 4 Adam Hilton and Dave Perrett (Solo). Retired: Liam Routley (Laser Radial).

THE front of this race looked the same with Steve Axford chasing Nathan Pollard.

Brian Pollard and Tash Routley held an admirable third place throughout. Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7) in fourth had trouble rounding Dam Green, her boom hitting the boy. A penalty turn in these conditions was hazardous and what caused her disqualification was that her boom, coming across at the end of the turn, hit the buoy again!

Linda Spiller retired on the second lap. Liam Routley kept his Radial under control and finished in fourth. An exhausting day was had by all!

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 6); 2 Steve Axford (Laser Radial); 3 Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun); 4 Liam Routley (Laser Radial). Retired: Linda Spiller (Laser 4.7). Disqualified: Harriet Cox (Laser 4.7).

Many thanks were extended to the officer of the day, Vicki Duncalf, and to the photographer, Mandy Pollard.