Goodacre Cup at Roadford Lake Sailing Club

37 competitors competed in the annual Goodacre Cup for members of the South West Lakes Trust and visitors at Roadford Lake over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Saturday afternoon saw a lightish wind with occasional gusts to get the spinnaker boats planing downwind, and from the first, it was clear that a close battle would be held between the two Buzz of Matthew Butler and Roger Eyre, the Scorpion of Steve Mitchell and the Laser radial of Ellie Poole. OOD Richard Willows stuck to a simple triangle course to allow for the wide speed differential through the fleet, with varying angles to give as many boats as possible a chance. Race one went to Roger Eyre from Mountbatten crewed by Penny, with Matthew Butler crewed by Alice, from Stewartby second. Race two was won by Ellie Poole from Starcross, with Matthew Butler second, and Steve Mitchell from Porthpean third.

Sunday brought a change in the weather with drizzly misty conditions and changeable wind direction. The first race started promptly, but unfortunately was abandoned due to the leeward Mark drifting off downwind several hundred yards! The committee boat was quickly moved and the line reset, and the race got underway. The leading boats were much the same as on Saturday, except that as the slow boats were approaching the finish area, the OOD sounded the shortened -course as the wind appeared to be failing, leaving the faster boats on the third lap.

Unfortunately the wind died more than expected, giving the slower boats an unexpected bonus on average lap handicap, with local sailors Catherine Mulholland finishing first in her solo, and Colin Brown and Sally Bryant second and third in their lasers. With the wind looking very variable, the fleet went ashore for lunch, during which time the wind switched as forecast to North West, necessitating a further reset of the course.

The afternoon saw two races, the second with a starboard hand triangle, the last leg giving a good planing reach as the wind increased. Matthew Butler, and Steve Mitchell were first and second, followed by the Taser of Lionel Rigby from Porthpean, and in the second race Nick Ripley in his Halo showed a good turn of speed to take first placed followed by Matthew Butler and then the RS Feva of Angus Cooke crewed by his son Alfred.

Unfortunately, Monday dawned misty and windless, and by 1230 it was clear that no usable wind was going to be forthcoming in the near future and racing was abandoned for the day. Competitors thus counted five races with one discard. The Goodacre shield for the first SW Trust boat was won by Bill and Sally Anderson in their Flying 15 with fifth place, Roger and Penny Eyre, 4th, Ellie Poole, first Jr and third overall, Steve Mitchell and Polly Newman,2nd, Matthew and Alice Butler 1st overall, and winners of the Andy Parsons for first visitor.

There was a good contingent of toppers who came from Paignton sailing club who proceeded round the courses with some good-natured banter, Zack Mitchell finishing first of this group followed by Miles Ripley.

The event was organised by both the Roadford Lake Sailing Club and the Roadford Watersports Centre who organised some excellent sponsorship from Ginsters pasties, Ambrosia foods, and acquired raffle prizes, as well as helping with printing and stationary, very many thanks.