The David Rose Trophy for Vane 36R model boats at Fleetwood
by Tony Wilson 19 Oct 2023 20:17 BST
Blue Bullet - Vane 36R (free sailing model yachts) David Rose Trophy at Fleetwood © Tony Wilson
We already had 3 boats pre rigged with the Top suit on arrival by 09:30, but was this too early. The forecast was for about 15knots from the West and folks were already grabbing a smaller set of sails, with the lake looking alive and up for business.
With most of the boats now re rigged with the smaller set, the wind then dropped and the big rigs were put on again. By about 1130 we had managed our first up and down of the lake. The wind had got back up again and the boats got a hammering.
Back to the cabin to drop sail size again as the forecast looked pretty certain to remain strong enough for the day. Our Peter would have liked to have had 4 heats completed before lunch, but we were running a little late.
Eric was doing really well and hadn't dropped any points by lunchtime, although had had his bye early on for the first race. We had 7 boats for the day and some were very nice, especially that fast fibreglass yacht that Alan Crawford was sailing, what a beauty. Derek's 'Blue Bullet' also has a very nice presence on and off the water.
Did I mention the wind dropped again. We could have changed the rigs half a dozen times through the day and maybe we should have, realistically speaking.
We had some very flat lulls throughout the afternoon and some of the race legs dragged on a little making for a very late finish.
Most had had some good success throughout the day and Eric had only dropped a couple of points in the end, so it was near enough for 'Nearenuff'. Well done Eric.
Just one more Vane 36R session for this year and it's on Bonfire Night 5th Nov, but obviously during the day,. It's a Sunday this time.
Results:
1 Eric Austwick - 21 pts
2 John Sharman - 20 pts
3 Alan Crawford - 19 pts