THIRTY-mile per hour gusts were forecast and many sailors stayed at home. But on arrival at Tamar Lake the winds were not as intimidating, and after an inspection from Tom Sparkes in the safety boat, the race went ahead.

Launching in the lee of the hill was easy, the westerlies hardly touched the Dam end of the Lake, but it was a different matter in the centre where the full force of the winds was unleashed.

Before the race even began Adam Hilton’s Solo, despite flying a cut-down sail, was tossed over when planing at speed. He ended up on the lee shore and was towed home by the safety boat.

Nathan Pollard launched the Aero with its smallest sail, a five.

Brian Pollard (with Natasha Routley) borrowed the mainsail from the Pollard Graduate, considerably smaller than the normal Bosun mainsail, while Liam Routley bravely preferred the full-size sail on his Laser.

The Bosun and the Aero crossed the start line at much the same time and set off for Zebra and Inlet on a course which included every buoy on the Lake! Nathan Pollard began to pull out a lead while Liam Routley caught up.

The places remained the same for the first lap but Nathan Pollard was suffering from a broken jam-cleat which madeboom control difficult, and he retired at the end of the first lap as did the Routley Laser shortly after.

Brian Pollard and Natasha Routley were left to complete a second lap (three were planned) and gained a thoroughly-deserved victory.

Results: 1 Brain Pollard and Natasha Routley (Bosun). Retired: Adam Hilton (Solo), Nathan Pollard (Aero 5) and Liam Routley (Laser).

Thanks were extended to Dave Perrett who oversaw the race and to Mandy Pollard who took the photos.