Pollard overtakes rivals to win pursuit race

LIAM Routley was first off in a light variable breeze, while the The Graduate and Laser were soon following the two Aeros with the two Solos close behind the pack with Roger Heasman in his Miracle at the rear.

With a slow beat to Pinkie buoy, the Graduate gradually gained on the Solos. At Pinkie, Robin Spiller struggled to make the buoy and was overtaken by Perrett who then passed the Graduate on the run back to Dam Green buoy.

The second lap saw Nathan Pollard extend his lead on Bob and Liam, retiring with a broken mast along with Robin who missed H1 buoy at end of the lap.

Pollard lapped Heasman on the way back up to Pinkie, though Heasman retired anyway after missing Zebra buoy and nudging West buoy.

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 9); 2 Bob Sampson (Aero 7); 3 Dave Perrett (Solo); 4 Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Graduate). Retired: Liam Routley (Laser), Robin Spiller (Solo) and Roger Heasman (Miracle).

WITH the wind freshening slightly over lunchtime, Nathan Pollard swapped his nine-metre sailor for a smaller seven-metre version.

The length of the race is predetermined at 68 minutes with the slowest boat, Vicki Duncalf’s Topper, starting at 0 minutes, followed by Dave Perrett (13) Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (14) and Pollard (20).

Duncalf was at the far end of the course before Perrett started and nearly lapped Pollard starting last. Lap two saw Pollard pass his father and Routley just before Pinkie before overtaking Perrett on the next. He later repeated themanoeuvre to secure first.

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 7); 2 Vicki Duncalf (Topper); 3 Dave Perrett (Solo); 4 Brian Pollard and Tash Routley (Graduate).

Thanks were expressed to officer of the day Linda Spiller and photographer Mandy Pollard.