Vane 36R Dave Rose Trophy 2025 at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club

Vane 36R Dave Rose Trophy at Fleetwood © Tony Wilson

Caught at the back end of the latest storm 'AMY' it seemed highly unlikely anyone would turn up on the Sunday morning at Fleetwood. So everyone else also thought the same too. A pleasant surprise for all when a good handful of the hardened regulars took their chance.

One by one boats were assembled in the most calm way with the odd tut and occasional glance lakeside at the bouncing waves and white tops, just hoping for a let up.

Harry was to take his first baptism of a new to him, 36R with a guessed sail size from his collection. Most went as small as could be. Six Skippers in total. Beats were only to be sailed as runs may have given the boats a good bashing at the finishing end.

On to the racing and Tony's lines were slackening with a well worn bowsie, until tied in place fully strapped up with a couple of tie wraps, that seemed to do the job. Harry also seemed to have the same issue in the races to follow. The odd bit of slack or flutter just seems to increase more and more until the sails finally fully let go.

With a good Westerlie and a hint of bias, the wind was coming nearly from the far steps, so we started on the starboard tack with each race alternating Skipper's choice at the bridge end.

When you only have 2 boats on the water, they rarely come together, unless one is pointing higher than the other straight from the start. Poling off into the coming traffic is also always a gamble. On one race Eric's boat dithered from the start to take the opposite tack and as the boats made their way up the lake each pass was close. After about the fifth pass they finally decided to collide just before the finish. Sharing the points on this occasion was the less tiresome option.

We sailed three of the races, had a break and then finished off, nice and early, with no breakages.

The last of the fifth race had Peter Whiteside and Olly tieing on equal points. Olly had choice as it was still classed as one of the main races. Although he seemed more loose with his sails, his boat just looked more upright and with the extra speed took the leg for the win.

Results:

1 Olly Murray 15 pts
2 Peter Whiteside 12 pts
3 Peter Isles 7.5 pts

Vane 36R Dave Rose Trophy at Fleetwood - photo © Tony Wilson