Saturday 29th August: Seven Blaze sailors were met with clear skies and a 
fresh Westerly offshore wind. How fresh only became apparent once the 
sailors mounted their weapons of choice and headed out into the bay, not before breaking the maximum speed limit for the harbour… 

 

Out in the sailing arena it was more than apparent that the weather 
forecasters had underestimated the wind strength. Their crystal balls need a 
polish. A forecast F4… should have read F5 gusting a F6-7. 
Even before the (planned) three races started, Mike Lyons decided that the 
self preservation of his shoulder was the order for the day and headed 
ashore. The remaining six boats crossed the start line for race 1 with Nick 
Miller rounding the windward mark first where he would stay comfortably for 
the rest of the race, Followed by James McTurk, Mervyn Wright and 
Bob.Williamson. 

 

James was next to fall by the wayside when his mainsheet block decided it 
had had enough of the screaming broad reach and went bang on the way to the leeward mark. Mervyn and Bob finishing 2nd and 3rd slogged it out around 
the course. Bob decided that the Blaze made a better submarine that a racing 
dinghy a number of times during the race. (Which is probably not the 
fastest way to sail). Even in the hairy conditions, Mervyn managed to dished out 
advice to a Laser and Fireball on how to get around the outer mark in a F6 
– Other than ‘get out of my way’ - go about, don’t gybe! 
Andrew Grant was next to loose out, while capsized, his boat was 
introduced to a Musto Skiff falling on top of him - the two boats drifted off into 
the sunset putting Andrew out of any sort of contention. 
So ended the first race. Nick 1st, Mervyn 2nd, Bob 3rd.

 

The OOD, surveying the carnage being laid across regatta fleet (broken 
masts, capsizes galore, rope burn and the tears of pain from a couple of the 
crew) decided to call it a day. 
BBQ and beer time. Enough meat to keep the carnivors happy, and the number 
of empty beer bottles in the bin showed a good time was had in the 
evening. Round two tomorrow. Now where is that forecaster’s crystal ball? 
Sunday 30th August: Balls polishes… Sun was out, wind had dropped and 
swung round to the south, a ninth Blazer (Andy McLellan) had returned from a 
wedding – whether he was fit to sail was a question for another day. There’s 
a good F4 out there!

Race 2 saw a close battle and the lead change between Nick, Mike and Bob, 
until Nick stole a march on the last run to take victory. Else where on the 
course the hungover Andy Mc had an equipment failure and also retuned 
ashore to find a screwdriver, but never made it back to the crime scene. Mike 
Lyons decided that the wind was picking up to much for his shoulder and 
packed it in. 
Race 3 and 4 saw a similar pattern of Nick screaming off to the windward 
mark first, Bob and James throwing punches (and places). A very memorable 
reach across the bay followed by a run with decent waves kept a smile on all 
the faces, Not so the Fireballs, who failed to overtake Bob on the reach 
and run…

 

Overall Nick took the honours and the trophy. Bob 2nd and James one point 
behind in 3rd. A storming weekends racing all in all. The on shore team 
kept stomachs filled with a good ration of food and beer. Just need to go and 
sort my slot gasget… Hope to see some of you next year. 

Bob Williamson - 741 

Blaze Fleet Captain