Once again we all gathered on the shores of this notorious lake to face not only the elements but also any form of racing that Helium Mike could think of!
This week it was ‘MASTER BLASTER’ or for some of us more ‘BLEEDING DISASTER’ (me included)
Two Heats of 8 were gathered on the shore ready for one and a half laps of hell!
Heat one blasted off for a quick race, rounding just three marks before throwing themselves ashore to finish, ( some taking this more literally than was actually intended) it was up to a top mark, back round a bottom one, then back to the top again and home. The first four going into the final.
THERE OFF!
Big DT pumped his way into an early lead. Bean Pole Geoff only sporting a 7.5 (he left his big sail at home, he thought it was going to be windy? Silly Boy) was hot on his tail, and then the rest followed in hot pursuit.
Through the years we had all considered that our gybing had improved somewhat, gone were the days when carnage occurred at every mark and bodies floated at random round the marks. Well folks have I got news for you. “THERE BACK”
Gybing on a short board is a whole different ball game to doing it on Phantoms (the board choice of the day). The following pack was in disarray as they rounded the top mark, some seemed to view rounding an impossibility and appeared to be taking the scenic route round, while others just abandoned ship.
The result of all this was David pumping his way home in first (bad back my foot!)Geoff second and then a real surprise third was Wiktor who had finally found success in this form of racing, rounding the marks by catching the buoy rope on his dagger board and then spinning it round, a ploy that stood him in good stead during the following heats. The final qualifying place was a battle to the line by husband and wife. No love was lost here as they threw themselves at the bank, only to finish 4th equal ( a diplomatic decision by the race officer, personally I thought that ......, Well never mind what I thought!)
Alex, Keith and Nick had to settle for the sail off in the also ran category. Nick never really stood a chance and was seen still standing on the bank having a chat when the start gun went.
Race two saw Helium Mike speed yet again into the lead and there was little chance of catching him, in fact there was no chance of it now I think about it ( Something had to be done to nobble this guy, my mind was now working overtime on the problem). Second saw Big Pop Rivett get to grips with this gybing lark, bringing back memories of days of old when he used to race long boards with the Vikings. Third was yours truly and fourth qualifying spot went to Mike Sapsard, who had become so over excited at the thought of qualifying that he hurtled towards the finish line at break neck speed, oblivious to the fact that the finish line had no water on it, onlookers scattered as he hit the matting and was then seen gracefully cart wheeling through the air and landing with a thud on his back somewhere near the clubhouse. It was seen lying there with a grin on its face and asked someone if he had won and did anyone by any chance know who he was?
Jo, Steve, Graham and Our commodore had to settle for the repechage
The final was on its way. And off he went again, there was no stopping Helium or was there? I grinned knowingly to myself, I knew he was doomed( sabotage is an awful thing , but sometimes in this world it is necessary) Up to the first mark and Helium Mike can’t turn, in fact the board darn right refused. The dagger board had totally come adrift and was now sailing it’s on race and was heading for the flag. (Life can be a bastered sometimes can’t it?)
Geoff the bean pole took full advantage of this and sped home first, Barry reliving his Viking youth came second. Helium recovered somewhat after abandoning that gizmo in the centre of the board and came third. Fourth saw big son come clattering in, while 5th place went to Wiktor over the moon at doing so well. Lake Manager plodded in 6th still muttering about gybing the QE2. While Annette proved a point over an Eeyore that was somewhat peeved by being beaten by his wife, the only saving grace being that he still had a job.
The repechage then set forth on their mission and there was no stopping Sig who won with ease. Steve had led to start with and was greeted with considerable support from the bank as he approached the second mark, but the tension was all too much and instead of rounding the mark carried on to view a few bricks at close quarters. Our Commodore strode in third while Steve eventually arrived in fourth with just a covering of brick dust to show for his efforts, Alex came 5th if a bit wet, I wasn’t aware that it had been raining but apparently it had where she had been. Keith in 6th did not have a good time, due mainly to the fact that his board didn’t work. People were keeping well clear of Nick in 7th having discovered that he only ate road kill, not sure about water kill but no one was taking a chance!
We all staggered ashore and were heading for the BBQ, when Mike the race officer announced we had to do it all over again, a look of horror came over our faces
"AGAIN!"
I won’t go through all the details again; fatigue definitely took its toll. And some resorted to cheating. Sig decided to complete the race half on my board and half on his, no amount of abuse would deter him from his mission, that of stopping the Lake Manager at any cost. In the final Eeyore adopted Sig’s principle and rammed me at the mark(I was beginning to adopt a complex)
Mike having avoided the nobbling procedure dominated the second round.
Tony
