Sedgemoor Model Boat Club

The weather this time could not really have been better. Last year we tried out the course for the first time and on both occasions we had gale force winds and rain!

Six 1M skippers who had taken part in the final round of the mornings Winter Series stayed behind and were joined after lunch by another three for the Apex Dash event. Graham Fright entered a Thames Barge boat so was given a generous head start, the 1M fleet started next, then once they had all done a full lap of our usual triangle course, the remaining two 10R’s were let loose! Graham took full advantage and sailed off into the distance! Bob Conner lead the fleet of 1M’s through the gap into the far lake, I then took the lead (very briefly) as we sailed towards the windward buoy in the “big lake”. By the time we had turn that buoy, Scott Smart was ahead followed by Reg Gallop, Bob, myself, Geoff Portlock and Ian Gibson. By now the 10R’s guys Brian Hill and Peter Darch were just in sight coming through the gap between the lakes and were rapidly closing on us! Graham had completed the downwind leg and was rounding the island.

The long run downwind to the island was tricky for everyone, especially the two 10R’s skippers. They simply couldn’t keep up with their boats and had to constantly turn around just to keep them in sight! As the 1M fleet rounded the island we caught Graham’s Barge and everyone got their breath back as we tried to find the wind in the shadow of the islands trees. At this point Reg had dropped back to 4th place (following a couple of contacts with Scott) and took the inside line nearer to the island. Despite this being much more in the shadow of the wind, Reg sailed right past everyone and into the lead heading towards the next marker buoy! The field spread out as they headed around the island first anti-clockwise, then around a marker buoy and back again clockwise. We then started the very long leg into the wind tacking numerous times all the way up the big lake. At this point the two 10R’s had been out of sight/control had run aground and were being rescued by their skippers. Reg headed the field as we sailed all the back around the course, into “our lake” and did another lap of the triangle course. Despite Scott’s best efforts he couldn’t catch Reg who crossed the finishing line ahead of Scott by just 20 yards! Bob finished 3rd, I was 4th, Geoff 5th. Peter and Brian got their 10R out of trees and finished 6th and 7th respectively. Ian arrived back carrying his yacht which had developed radio problems on the far side of the course. A little time later Graham arrived sailing his barge, having had to release it from banks trees/brambles/reeds etc, - he had the cuts to prove it!

Our Club Sec. Ian presented Reg the brand new Ted Lester Cup for winning the Apex Dash, a worthy winner and a fitting event in Ted’s memory.

On 30th March we will be running a Dash race again, just for fun this time, no trophy, but I strongly recommend it if you missed it this time – great fun!

Russ Chilcott