A gloriously warm and sunny day greeted the six Wanderers at Burghfield on September 13th who shared the open day with a smaller than predicted Phantom fleet. Winds were light and variable, swinging as much as 45 degrees at times with the occasional strong puff to change the order of boats and make life interesting. There were also the inevitable holes which caught out everyone at some stage.

The first race saw the two home boats on the start line raring to go but strangely no sign of any other competition which was spread all over the lake or in one or two cases, still on shore. No excuse for late starters! The Race Officer could wait no longer and the home boats Peter and Elva Wallis (893) and newcomer to Burghfield, Chris Vaughan with crew Chris (1085) got away to a clean start. Peter Wallis soon established a long lead with Chris Vaughan in pursuit. Chris and Vicky King (940), after a little spinnaker and foresail trouble, eventually got going and gradually closed the gap with Chris Vaughan. After a bit of a tussle at the back of the fleet between Mike Hamilton with son-in-law crew (992), Jack Mann and Brigitte Philbey (1087) and John Talbot and Jean Whitaker (602), the order settled down with Jack and Mike swapping places according to the vagaries of the wind. Peter Wallis finished well ahead followed by Chris King who eventually overtook Chris Vaughan with Mike Hamilton fourth, Jack Mann and John Talbot fifth and sixth.

The second and third races were run back to back with Chris King getting away to a fast start in the second race followed by the rest of the fleet, grouped much more closely together this time. Nearing the windward mark Chris King found himself being challenged by Jack Mann when the inevitable happened and everyone fell into a hole. Mike Hamilton seized his chance and finding wind from somewhere, overtook the rest to round the windward mark and go into the lead. For the remainder of the race the lead changed several times between Mike and Chris King with Jack Mann and Peter Wallis vying for third place and the remaining boats still keeping in touch. Mike went on to win with Chris second and Jack third.

The final race got off to a close start but Chris King once again established a strong lead being challenged throughout the race by Mike Hamilton and Peter Wallis. These three kept ahead of the rest of the fleet who were never too far behind not to pose a threat. Despite closing the gap considerably in light winds, neither Mike nor Peter could catch Chris who squeezed his way over the finish line to win. Although trying hard and praying for a lift, Peter could not quite get ahead of Mike who just pipped him by a few inches at the line.

Results:

Chris King (940)              1st

Mike Hamilton (992)        2nd

Peter Wallis (893)            3rd

Jack Mann (10&7)           4th

Chris Vaughan (1085)     5th

John Talbot (602)           6th

Report by Peter Wallis (893) Oct 2003.