Great Start to Injebreck
Report by Deano
There was a great start to the winter sailing at Injebreck with 10 boats being greeted by mild conditions; gusty but only one capsize. The wind direction was westerly, but changing just enough to hold interest or frustration depending upon which side of the course one happened to be at the time.
The starts were hard on Angus Jolly being crewed by Andrew Dean. In the first race the RS200 started offshore – in the second, inshore, only to be well and truly buried both times. Such is Injebreck. Russell and June Collister, fresh from their excellent showing at the RS200 Inland Championships (won by former Manx resident Tommy Hewitson), showed everyone the way round, being only briefly headed all morning.
Also having a good day at the office were Dave ‘Batch’ Batchelor in the hairy Blaze and Ralph Kee in the full-rig Laser, Ralph taking second in the first race followed by third in the second, swapping with Batch. Gus was a bit miffed with two fourths and Keith and father Ted Holden piloted the immaculate GP14 to two fifths. It’s no use mentioning aggregate crew ages since that would engender disbelief.
The Cope brothers continue to improve in the Laser 2000 and it’s great to see capable youth sailors joining the fray, Misses Collister and Hill enjoying great competition. The more mature sailors will be tested next week with the arrival of Ali Hinds. John Whitehead improved from 10th to 8th. Jerry Colman with Juan Hendy scored a 7th in the first race, but by then had broken the Five-o-Five.
Our regular race officer, helped by Barbara Jolly, set excellent courses, using all the lake in the first race and two thirds in the second. Extra thanks to Neil and Barbara Boyes for manning the rescue boat.
There will be four series of three races this winter, ending at the end of January. Most notably there will also be the traditional Frostbite Regatta on Boxing Day when standards of behaviour can slip.