The annual and always well attended Training + Racing weekend took place again at Wraysbury using the comfortable facilities provided by SilverWing SC.

Past Wanderer National Champion Andy Whitelock, who now runs his own company Dynamic Adventures, again led the on and off the water sessions. Sadly, the lack of any serious breezes prevented any effective activity with spinnakers.

The usual Wanderer Saturday evening Fleet Supper took place in the clubhouse prior to Sunday’s three scheduled races but the very gentle and occasional breezes which had been spotted on the first day were equally thin on the Sunday and died away to nothing by the end of the second race which caused the final race to be abandoned.

In the first race, Gavin Barr and Mark Skipper made life difficult for themselves by crossing their own start line on the wrong side of the Committee Boat. David Davies crewed by Vicky King took the new Wanderer Esprit on its first racing encounter and with Adam Wickenden and Jack Mann, they led the fleet away in a very (very !) gentle south-westerly breeze. The Meadowcrofts tracked the Esprit but their tack back towards the centre of the lake where there was just marginally more wind paid a good dividend. Adam and Jack’s lead was well established but the Meadowcrofts came within three boat lengths on the final leg but could not catch them. Tim and seven years old daughter Niamh Robertson had a nail-biting final leg side by side with David and Andrew Hamilton, the Robertsons getting the better of them in the final few metres before the finish to take third place.

The second race saw a “determined not to get it wrong this time” start from Gavin and Mark but this was not good enough to catch Adam and Jack in what must have been the slowest race ever. The Meadowcrofts eased past David and Vicky on the inside at the first windward mark to gain and retain third place. Tim and Niamh sailed a good opening beat but sailed a little bit too high and had an awkward tack to reach the mark in near windless conditions.

The closing stages of the second race were agonisingly slow with David and Vicky leading the remainder of the 12 strong fleet to a finishing line which was twice moved up the course for the sanity of the competitors and Race Officer Dave Finch .

With the third race abandoned the rescue crews stood by whilst we watched a spirited capsize drill display by Tim and Niamh Robertson. Jack Mann also showed his prowess in getting onto the centreboard but Mark Skipper had one or two awkward moments. Your Chairman lost the plot completely.