Fresh breeze from the south meant we could set a course to Booze and West Bulwark , the first time this year we have managed this.
4 boats took part, OCD, Gandalf, Taniwha and Suti with Tempest on safety boat duty.
Taniwha took the early lead followed by OCD and Suti in 3rd followed by Gandalf until the beat from MYA1 to Buoy 24 where Suti had to tack away from OCD’s dirty air allowing Gandalf to slip into 3rd. This followed a long reach to Buoy 16 where Gandalf kept clear of the front two and undertook them rounding Booze in first place. The order didn’t change on the run up to West Bulwark but then had a great beat back to Booze going in different directions and converging closer with Taniwha back in the lead! The running order was now Taniwha, Gandalf , OCD and Suti. A Spinnaker run up to West Bulwark for the last time, then a beat to Buoy 15 where Gandalf overtook Taniwha and Suti overtook OCD.
Although we had one more beat before the finish the positions never changed although Suti closed right up to Taniwha.
With some sizable wind shifts and gusts, a long and thoroughly enjoyable race was had by all, with congratulation’s going to Gandalf for a second win in a row.
Finishing order 1st Gandalf 2nd Taniwha 3rd Suti with OCD in 4th
Next week Suti and Gandalf are away at the Edinburgh Cup so will miss race 5 and 6 of the Dragon Flagon Series
Regards Trevor & Edwin