1st 1, 1 Tim HEMSLEY 1392
2nd 2, 2 Ben FALAT 1359
3rd 3, 3 Chris ROBERTS 1395
4th 4, 4 Jeremy HUDSON 1385
5th 7, 5 Simon HAYES 1172
6th 6, 6 Russ HALL 1333
7th 8, 7 Bob MECHEM 1200
8th 5, DNF Ian SULLIVAN 1344
9th 9, DNC Brian LYGOE 975
There was general lethargy at published start-time, with nil wind whatsoever; while hydrating in the 29Deg we inspected spiders' gossamer to determine any wind; then a faint zephyr appeared from the North (eh, not forecast ?) and burgees duly pointed in opposed directions but after over an hour some wind appeared from the South, but only over the Northern half of the lake.
We set sail, errr paddled through the near third then started to sail.
Tim Hemsley cracked/ghosted off the start and led at the first mark, but Ben Falat pushed him hard and took over the front on the second reach; then disaster and Tim's shroud-pin popped, but it was soooo light that he effected a lop-sided repair and re-commenced the chase, still ahead of the pack, but a whole leg behind Ben. On the last round Ben sailed into a hole and stopped, while Tim tacked well-away, passed and won !
Lunch entailed very light food, but much water, even some taking cold showers in their gear, to cool down their boiling brains.
The next and only subsequent race in even-more dying zephyrs, saw Tim take the lead early and not relinquish, with again Ben fighting the head of the pack to an eventual comfortable 2nd, despite the early repeated attention of Chris Roberts. In the very trying conditions, can you believe the conversation: Chris (Port), "Do you want me to tack or carry on ?"; Ben (S'bd), "Don't ask me, I haven't any idea ..... ! ".
The day ended with early encroach of windless mist.
Very well-done indeed to the whole team at Broxbourne for managing so well in the most difficult conditions.
With non appearance of some key Eastern Region players, the result here has handed the E-Area Trophy to Ben, with an event-to-spare (at Hickling in a fortnight).
