After the postponement from a very soggy Saturday, Sunday afternoons racing took place in almost ideal conditions. Seventeen boats launched from the slipway, whilst Chris Stewart sailed round from his back garden! The two junior pico sailors decided conditions were a bit much for them as did young Lottie Colville who had joined the crew of the Vago and so did not race. So seven Toppers, five Lasers, three GP14s and the Vago went out to the start line positioned to the windward of mark 1. After a general recall the fleet got away.

A moderate westerly breeze proved a little gusty at times meaning a few capsizes so there was plenty for the safety teams to do. The course took the boats on a beat to round mark 1 to port then across the bay to the Town Cup mark laid off Lemons Quay on reach before reaching back to mark 1 and thence to the finish line off the promenade. The first race proved a bit too testing for some of the Topper sailors and a couple of them retired from the competition whilst the Vago seemed a bit of a handful for its crew as they failed to finish.

Race two got underway without incident, whilst in what must be a record in recent club sailing history, the third start resulted in another general recall! Both races the course included three roundings of mark 1 before heading to the finish line. There were plenty more capsizes in both races so well done to everyone for sticking it out and getting across the line.

Overall the winner of the Town Cup was Adam Nelson, ILCA6/Radial who had two firsts and a third and won on count back from his dad Steven, ILCA7/Full who came second in the final race by just 5 seconds on corrected time. The Lady Helm crown went to Lucy Reynolds, Topper who beat Jennifer Bryce’s GP14 by half a point overall after three races.

Town Cup
1st: Adam Nelson, ILCA6/Radial 5 points (1,3,1)
2nd: Steven Nelson, ILCA7/Full 5 points (2,1,2)
3rd: Ed Reynolds jnr, Topper 12 points (3,5,4)

Lady Helm Trophy
1st: Lucy Reynolds, Topper 25.5 (9,6.5,10)
2nd: Jennifer Bryce & Louise Burrows 26 points (11,10,5)

A special mention goes to Ed Reynolds snr & Kyle Colville for gamely surviving numerous capsizes in the Vago – they were both awarded rescue whistles for their efforts! Full results can be found here:

Town Cup and Lady Helm Results

Thank-you to all the safety crews, beachmaster and the race officials – Lawrence Baalham in the committee boat & Susie Harris on shore at the finish.