Albacores at the Swanage Regatta 5/6 Aug 2006

9 Albacores turned out for the 2006 Swanage regatta and, as they formed the single largest monohull fleet, they had there own start and competed for the prestigious Butler Cup. There were 5 visiting boats; 3 from Maidenhead Sailing Club.

The weather was fair with light winds that finally settled from the south west and the fleet got away round the triangular course. Immediately the superior speed of Neville Herbert and Steve Penfold set the tone for the series with Parkstone sailors Richard Gray and Bill Law close behind followed by Ann and Trevor Smith who were overhauled on the reach by Father and daughter pairing of Robin and Victoria Brooks. At the end Herbet and Penfold showed a clear lead over Gray and Law with the Smiths coming 3^rd.

The conditions stayed constant for the second race. Herbet and Gray decided to linger on the start line near the committee boat leaving the Smiths room to sail under them and away. However, Herbet tacked off and found a lift to get him to the first mark ahead of the Smiths who snapped at his heels for a couple of laps before bowing to the inevitable (not helped by the boom coming off the gooseneck!). Gray recovered to finish third so second place was all square over night.

On the Sunday the weather looked good at the club house but the fleet slopped around in the bay against the tide with the wind dying. The race was abandoned just before the sea breeze filled in (who would be a race officer??!). The last race was started at 1.30 and Herbet and Penfold again charged to the front with John and Janet Wofinden getting a great start and staying out to the left to get in contention. As the race progressed Gray and Law pulled into 2^nd place with the Smiths on their tail looking for any advantage to get that second overall, but disaster struck Gray as a confusion over shorten course flags led him to finish too early giving the place to the Smiths with the Brooks duo coming third.

Our thanks to Swanage SC for putting on a great event, we need more Albs next year!

Trevor Smith AL8000