Results / RS600 Fat Face Racing Circuit Weston SC - 12/08/2006

Saturday saw a brisk WNW wind of 4-5 with gust to force 6. The 1st race got underway promptly at 12.00 which caught a few people still on the beach or running down wind after a quick check what things were like up the course. Jamie Mawson and Andy Heissig lead for most of the race with Ian Marshall close behind in third who managed to squeeze past Andy to finish second. Race 2 saw Oly Straker join in the fray with Jamie, Andy and Ian. On one run Oly decided to check on things under his boat. When he righted it, he came up on the right gybe and blasted through to take the lead from Ian, with Jamie third and Andy back at fourth. Race 3 was nearly a re-run of the first race with Jamie leading the way home Ian in second and Oly third. Through out the day, further down the fleet there were many place changes during all the races as the gusts and lumpy water caused a lot of swimming. An impromptu BBQ was arranged in the evening was thoroughly enjoyed with people reciting how fast they had gone in the �Force 8� gusts, but it was only Steve Read who could claim any accuracy as his GPS he had on board recorded 16.9 knots at one time. Sunday dawned with grey sky�s, although the forecast was for the wind to moderate during the afternoon this was not the case, it felt stronger if anything. This proved to be the case at prolonged gusts of 30+ knots (force 7) were recorded on the committee boat during the racing. About half of the fleet changed to the �Kiddie Rig� while the experts persevered with full rigs. Race 4 Got underway after an hours delay for the tide. Jon Powell, using a smaller rig, and Andy Hessig, led at the 1st mark, Jon holding off the �Professionals� for a lap and a half before performing a spectacular cartwheel on the run, letting Ian, Jamie and Oly through to finish in that order. Race 5 saw only six boats come to the line, gear breakage and discretion depleting the fleet. Ian and Jamie lead off from the start with Jon and Oly close behind, which was how it stayed until Oly squeezed through at the end of the last run. This proved to be the last race of the day, which was greeted with approval by yours truly. In recognition of his perseverance Steve Read was presented with a Merit Award at the prize giving. In summery, a very enjoyable weekend, which tested out the boats and the helms, and very well run by Weston SC who had the galley open all weekend providing hot meals as required. Jon Powell 954 Wind Dancer