Another lovely Sunday afternoon to finish off the Easter Holidays, a few were still away on their Easter break (I am still waiting the Easter eggs), but an expectant fleet gathered after a pre-race meeting re Coppet Week (more later). The wind was light, but more importantly the sun was out.

Keith and Alan have kindly put themselves forward to run Coppet Week this year and as part of their ongoing preparations, Keith was on duty again, accompanied this week by Maurice and they had a very difficult task trying to set a course in winds of ever changing direction and strength.

The fleet edged slowly away led by James, and with Lloyd and Rosie leading the supposedly faster boats away although at one time the fleet was almost concertinaed together half-way down, the first leg with Leon in the Topper and Harry and Steve in the Vision closing up rapidly, James continued to lead, but an increase in wind saw Paul and Julia making rapid ground with the gennaker up, although still closely pursued by Lloyd and Rosie, with the laps times showing that Lloyd was winning after the first lap - both Lloyd and Rosie have been putting in some good performances over recent weeks and seem to be enjoying their sailing.

The second lap saw the faster boats pull away from Lloyd and Rosie and the RS 200 seemed to be edging it, but James managed to drift faster than anyone else on the last short but painful leg to the finish to take the win overall just ahead of Paul and Julia, with Simon in third, while just behind were Lloyd and Rosie, then new member Steve in his Laser and Leon in his Topper.

The winds continued to swing around and up and down, but Keith and Maurice stuck to their task in very testing conditions, enough to make the race officers hair go grey or fall out, luckily our dynamic duo have no problems on that front!

This time Simon had an early lead and sailed serenely round in one line, while the RS 200 seemed to be continually tacking and gybing on each leg in a wind of their own again being closely pursued by Rosie and Lloyd (too closely for their liking), with Simon taking the win overall ahead of Paul and Julia who somehow got far enough from Rosie followed in turn by Harry and Steve in an excellent fourth place.

A massive thank you to all of those on duty again this week in addition to Keith and Maurice, with Tom and Hywel in the recently launched Flyer, plus Ben and Frank on ‘paparazzi’ duties in the Zodiac, also thanks to Mick and his helpers for getting all the boats and kit ready yet again and John and Nina for being such excellent ‘trolley dollies.’

We mentioned Coppet Week, preparations are continuing for this very important week in the club’s calendar. Many of you have already put your names forward to help both on and off the water so thanks for that, but if any other members are able to help, please let either Keith, Mick or Paul know for on the water stuff, while Nina is arranging a social and clubhouse programme with the help of others.

Congratulations to Hywel for completing his dinghy instructor course last week; we knew you could do it Hywel.

Finally, this coming Sunday, April 30, we have just the one race due to the early tide starting at 1000 with Keith again on duty together with James so hope for another good turnout.

Dizzy Rascal