AM: Sailboat Trophy 7 On such an extremely windy day only 6 boats started the first race - 2 Laser Radials, 3 reefed Toppers and a short-sailed Bosun! There were very strong gusts with a hint of rain at the start. Vicki Duncalf in her Topper was overly enthusiastic to get away at the gun and had to return through the line and re-start. Bob Sampson (Laser Radial) and Jane Anderson (Topper) both capsized within minutes of setting off - Jane right on Middle Mark which meant the fleet had to negotiate her as well for the rounding of it out towards West. It was a hard beat to that mark but Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert in the Bosun were first to round and led from there almost to Far mark with Sue Murray (Topper), James Pollard (Laser Radial), Jane, Bob and Vicki following in that order. James overhauled his father at Far. But it was Bob who first appeared round the headland after that rounding followed by James and then it was fast planing for all the fleet down to Zebra mark and beyond to Dam Green mark in rough waters and almost unmanageable gusts. Sadly, James retired after Lap 1, concerned about his newly repaired boat, and it was time for the Toppers to do some catching up! Sue Murray led them through the start line to commence lap 2 with Jane and Vicki not far behind, and the Bosun in the middle of them. Sue then capsized on route to Middle, but recovered quickly enough to maintain her lead, but she then capsized again trying to get to West Mark and Jane then nipped in along with Brian and Cilla. Bob was by now on his way to Far; Sue capsized again! At Far it was Bob, Brian, then Jane, Sue, and Vicki all trying hard to keep up in their reefed Toppers. At Dam Green Sue capsized again! Bob by this time had disappeared into the distance and as Vicki rounded Dam mark Bob was nearing Far mark at the other end of the lake! Sue, now an expert at righting a Topper, capsized again on the way to Middle Mark, and all 3 Toppers were struggling to keep upright between Middle and West marks. Even Brian and Cilla had their moments. Bob took well deserved line honours when the rest of the fleet were still making their way to the top of the lake. But in the closing section of the race there was fierce competition between Brian and Jane (who had been just behind the Bosun throughout the race). She finally overtook him at Dam mark only to fall into a lull which allowed Brian to overtake her again just before the finish line. Sue came in next with Vicki only 20 seconds behind but remaining upright throughout the race! Well done to all who participated. Results: 1. Jane Anderson (Topper) 2. Bob Sampson (Laser Radial) 3. Sue Murray (Topper) 4. Vicki Duncalf (Topper) 5. Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun) James Pollard (Laser Radial) rtd PM: Ladies, Junior and Gosling Shield 3 There were no Juniors today and just 2 ladies competing in the Ladies Cup. The competitors faced the same course as the morning with the weather just as bad, so 5 mad sailors set off with the Lasers having had to down grade their sail size to 4.7! James had a brilliant start with Bob only seconds behind then Jane, Brian and Sue. James rounded West first and Jane and Sue managed to overtake Brian at the mark. The Lasers romped away to Far, both planing easily in the gusts and they had a real duel throughout the race. On the 2nd lap both Lasers rounded Middle mark together and then James managed to get ahead of Bob on the way to Far. On the run down the lake to Dam Green, Bob tried to attack James to windward finally overtaking him at Dam Green. Bob then increased his lead in the final lap and there was some spectacular planing by the pair of them between Far and Dam Green - especially in the very windy panel across the inlet. Further back, Jane increased her lead over Sue and Brian and Cilla; Bob maintained his lead over James and took line honours. Results: Ladies Cup: 1. Jane Anderson (Topper) 2. Sue Murray (Topper). Gosling Shield: 1. Bob Sampson (Laser 4.7) 2. James Pollard (Laser 4.7) 3. Jane Anderson (Topper) 4. Sue Murray (Topper) 5. Brian Pollard and Cilla Gilbert (Bosun) Grateful thanks to John Dabbs and Sally Wills for OOD duties and this very comprehensive report, and to Mandy Pollard for the photography.