A funny thing happened today – the VC turned up to sail! Even the Admiral looked bemused. Obviously the Admiral's son and wet Mumford declined to sail, but there was wind – despite the dire forecast – at first at least!
Stensons (with repaired boat after being boarded by the Admiral – helms! Honestly – you can't leave them alone!) and Midnight Rog made up the field. Multitudinous Cadets filled the lake, and bizarrely 4 (yes 4 49ers ! Who knew we had 4 that ever sailed?) who chose to "train" halfway down the second reach, and a lone 18' skiff (which looked like a Marlin seeking mackerel (cadets?).
An enthusiastic run at the line by the Admiral's Barge, saw them at the wrong end as the gun went, but at least they had speed? Stensons had the best start, with Rog delayed in irons by the committee boat. The beat was a bit fluky, but the Barge rounded with a good lead – only to sail into a huge hole, and have the exquisite pleasure of the Stensons slide by and Rog nearly board them! The Admiral was NOT impressed – how had the crew got them into this mess! The Barge rallied, rounded the wing mark and found the 49ers playing some sort of sheepdog whistling game on the race course! Bit odd! After a reasonable second beat, the Barge had eased away, but as the wind died on the run, there was a long wait for the "shorten course" as they tinkled down to the leeward mark – knees aching. It duly came (thanks Mike and Vicki!!) and we all retired to the lunch queue – cheered up by the Cadets finishing lunch as we came in!
Next Sunday is the Hughes Regatta – rumours of 18 to 20 boats! How wonderful will that be!!
An Innocent Bystander
