So today we had our annual White Elephant Pursuit Race. Results here. Great pics above from Emma, thank you.

Lovely dry and bright day, force 3, but 90 Minutes was quite long enough in the cool 5deg temperature. Personally, I thought the race box was a good place to be and just watch everyone else out on the water.

90 Minutes of course for the Solo, had there been any, but there were 2 young men from the cadet fleet sailing toppers who needed to start 18 minutes earlier, so a long old race for them.

Harry & Mathias set off at -18, then 21 minutes later (Solo+3) for Leo (Laser) and Tuka (Wayfarer), another 10 minutes for Jon/Blake (Merlin), then Rodger (Contender) followed by Tim/James and Chris/Gary (400s at Solo+16).

Leo took the lead from the Toppers in the 3rd lap, and the win after 4½ laps (2-10-4-0-A) was never in any doubt. Rodger was being harassed by Chris/Gary by the end, but the contest to watch was between Jon/Blake & Tim/James. Tim had all but caught Jon by the end of lap 3, but Jon luffed and shut Tim out at the downwind mark. Jon pulled out a slight lead up the next beat to 2, then the asymmetric 400 sailed faster but higher than the Merlin who managed lower and shorter, and so remained ahead at 10. Jon held Tim off for another Lap and was still ahead at the final whistle. Among the cadets, Mathias picked up a penalty for missing out the A mark in laps 3 & 4 and so gifted his 6th place to Harry.

Thanks to Karen, Pete and Emma for turning out to cover duties in the race office and Safety boat today.

See you all in the new Year, 12:30, for the King George Dragon Pursuit.