Whit Trophy 2009 Race Report and Results by Al Cass (for it is he)
Unable to set buoys for the planned Slalom, we reverted to plan B….. or possibly C, with the inaugural Whit Trophy Waggle Dance. This exacting specialism was to involve five single lap races which included performing three extra gybes on the downwind leg.
Shifty and gusty conditions picked up during the start sequence and when the first round got underway the conditions were more than challenging. Bearing away at the windward mark proved to be a particular problem, and when a big gust came through there were suddenly five capsized boats.
Abandoning the race, the majority of the fleet decided it was time for a cup of tea and retired to the shore and clubhouse. Nik Kapur though deserves special mention at this point as being the only person to continue and complete three gybes. Truly a hero in the making!
Then we came up with a second cunning plan: shifting the course in to the slightly quieter side of the water, a series of three single lap races were run back-to-back. Dudley took the honours in round 1 with Pete and Steve hotly contesting. Meanwhile, NiK had discovered that he could slow Jon down by capsizing on top of his new Supernova.
With only a minute’s pause, round 2 got underway. Some vicious gusts before and during the round meant one DNS and one DNF but there was an epic close struggle to the line where Jon stole a win from Steve by a thickness of gelcoat.
But it was Pete who took the final leg by storm. After a blistering start, he maintained his lead, outing Jon and Steve into 2nd and 3rd respectively.
So even had been the racing that the competitors had to wait for the race computer to calculate the final positions. It really couldn’t have been tighter, but the victor by one point was Jon Moreman , with Dudley and Steve tying for second.
Well done to all for providing an entertaining morning’s sailing.
