Home • Events • Grafham - 15th August

As usual Grafham brought out a good fleet, this year numbering 18. Peter and I acted as OOD and Race Officer, and the club coxswain and his volunteers helped lay the buoys for our traditional 'M' course before letting us loose in their excellent committee boat. The wind was blowing directly offshore over the clubhouse, but little white horses over the far side of the lake gave an indication of the strength of wind and most were setting smaller sails than usual - wisely as it turned out.

A glance at the results will show that the already brisk wind did not abate at all, and the number of finishers steadily dropped through the day. Out in the committee boat on the far side of the lake, we had a problem keeping track of anyone who might actually be in trouble, and those who had merely decided that one beat taking them conveniently close to the launch/landing area was enough. Fortunately the coxswain on shore was keeping a close eye on things and kept us updated over the radio.

Mike Playle, using a 6.5m sail, I think, won the first race, but was over the line at the second start and then suffered from cramp. We were surprised to see Andy Lacy suddenly appear a few minutes after the 2nd race started and set off in pursuit of the fleet who were by then rounding the windward mark. Remarkably, he worked his way up to 4th place, deducing the course from those in front. In the afternoon Andy revelled in the conditions and was unbeatable. However, Tony Goodwin did enough with a first and 2 seconds to win overall. Further down the fleet more and more dropped out as the wind increased until only half completed the final race of the day.

Finally - a confession and apology. The Dee Caldwell Cup has, until now, been awarded to the winner at a coastal event. Since Northney was dropped from the programme this year, the committee had decided way back in February that it should be awarded to the winner at Grafham. However, I completely forgot!! My apologies to Tony Goodwin. We will retrieve the trophy and get it to Tony as soon as possible. Hopefully, we will find a suitable occasion next year to present it to him formally.

Ruth Tracey