Nearly St Germans Pursuit Race at Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club
by Brigitte Mann 30 Jul 2015 12:52 BST
25 July 2015
In a welcome window of dry sunny weather and comparative calm, Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club hosted their Nearly St Germans pursuit race on Saturday 25 July with a good fleet of 18 assorted dinghies and catamarans taking part in a 12-mile plus trip up the River Lynher to the turning mark at Wacker Lake and back.
With staggered start times over nearly an hour, the first boat away - Douglas Langford in the Feva - kept the lead, with George Dalley (Comet) in second place, until Camel's Head when Jack Mann & Ron Goggin (Wanderer) slipped into first place. The eventual winner, Keith Watts (Laser), took the lead from the Hamoaze Buoy.
As the fleet raced up the Lynher with the wind swinging through 180 degrees and gusting between no wind and too much wind, Tony Ayers & James Fortt (Laser 2000) took second place at Wacker buoy. On the way back the wind was no better with both strong gusts and areas of no wind. Rob Bellfield & Imogen Bellfield (RS200) moved into third place at Beggar's Island but took a tumble.
The Lasers had gained ground on their way back down the Lynher; Rob Loader (Laser) moved into third place as the fleet went back past the Hamoaze buoy, closely followed by Derick Reynolds (Laser). By this time the catamarans, which had started fifty minutes later than the Mirror start, were flying past and Richard Clarke & crew (Formula 18) took third place at Wilcove Lake.
The race finished at 1300 with the lead boats now back down around Ferry mark. Once ashore the Sailing Secretary - Dinghies (Jack Mann) held a small prize-giving and thanked the stalwart safety boat crews and race hut volunteers, and all the sailors, both members and visitors, who turned out and made the event a success.
The Nearly St Germans Race trophy will be awarded to the winner at the annual prize giving in the autumn and the next pursuit race – the Three Rivers which is again in excess of 12 miles – is due to be held on 22 November.
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Keith Watts (Laser)
2nd Tony Ayers & James Fortt (Laser 2000)
3rd Richard Clarke & crew (Formula 18)