Burghfield Sat 28 July 2007

     Well, those of you who didn’t come missed out on a real goodie, sunshine and loads of wind, rather gusty before lunch but more consistent afterwards, getting up to 17 knots or so from time to time with loads of back strap reaching!
     Mike Lyons, himself a boardsailor to contend with in his time (but now a Blaze sailor) drew the short straw again and Race Officered in his usual efficient manner.
     Fortunately for us the serious flooding had spared Burghfield and of course the lake was full which meant that certain brave could could risk the shallows... but more of that later.
     The start line was down at the M4 end of the lake and as Race One got underway Rod Davis had a flying start and was soon half a leg ahead of the fleet. However downfall soon arrived as a huge gust on the downwind leg brought the chasing bunch right past him as he wallowed in a lull and he never recovered. Rob Kent continued his winning ways and followed by Richard Baker and Dave Gilchrist.
     The wind settled just a little more for Race Two, which was again won by Rob Kent ahead of a flying Adrian Rippington and Richard Baker in third. Alan Jackson was giving his all at the front end of the fleet when he clipped the end of an island and suddenly found himself skegless and had to be brought home by the safety boat with a washer-shaped hole through his board. However a spot of TLC and he was on the water again for the third Race. Funnily enough this was the same spot where Phil Gooding, an LWA sailor some years ago, snapped the entire rear 18 inches, complete with fin, off his Krakatoa board!
     Rob and Adrian kept 1-2 order for the last two races, Alan Jackson finishing third in Race Three and Chris  Gibson in Race 4.
     Our two Junior sailors, Helen Stainsby retired early, Helen due to a lost contact lens and Ryan through a social engagement.
     Once again a triumph for Rob Kent and his Tushy 9.4, some very cutthroat competition at he front of the fleet and some hard fought battles all through the listings.
RESULTS: Overall positions in brackets:
Raceboard 9.4
1: Rob Kent (& 1st Master) (1); 2: Adrian Rippington (& 1st Vet) (2); 3: Chris Gibson (3)
Unlimited:
1: Richard Baker (4)
Lady:
1st Lady: Annette Kent (9)
Junior:
1: Ryan Tilbury (18)

Burghfield 28 July 07 R1 R2 R3 R4 Dis Tot 1 919 Robert Kent R M 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 843 Adrian Rippington R V 7 2 2 2 7 6 3 0 Christopher Gibson R M 4 5 6 3 6 12 4 148 Richard Baker R UV 2 3 9 13 13 14 5 416 Alan Jackson R V 5 12 3 6 12 14 6 9383 Andy Lacy R V 9 7 4 5 9 16 7 519 Dave Gilchrist R V 3 6 8 11 11 17 8 537 Rod Davis R V 8 8 5 4 8 17 9 91 Annette Kent R RW 6 4 10 7 10 17 10 267 Douglas Starr R M 13 9 7 8 13 24 11 8811 Kerry Hastings R V 12 10 12 10 12 32 12 9896 Adrian Brearley R V 15 19 11 9 19 35 13 315 Geoffrey Gray R V 11 13 13 12 13 36 14 580 Russ Canning R V 10 11 DNF DNF 21 42 15 557 Graham Horsley R V DNF 14 14 15 21 43 16 587 Mike Crowther R V 14 16 15 DNF 21 45 17 538 Janet Pain R W 18 18 16 14 18 48 18 9610 Ryan Tilbury T J 16 15 17 DNF 21 48 19 5 Michael Roberts R UV 17 17 DNF DNF 21 55 20 9725 Helen Stainsby T J 19 DNF DNF DNF 21 61