Just like the latest Martian probe, Emberton engineers had spent years perfecting a buoy release and recovery system, and just like the Mars probe the little yellow mother ship had, at times, difficulty releasing its payload. The Wee Nip media were initially critical of the two hulled craft, but on watching it gracefully place subsequent buoys in ‘just the right place’ and move others into position were, I think, secretly envious.
The slight delay in the mornings proceedings was timed to perfection as the previous ‘flat calm’ saw a gentle Southerly air flow come and go. Host Alan Smedley gave a brief briefing and they were off, chasing each other at, well at least half a knot. ‘It’s gratifying to see such a large and loyal turn out’ commented Emberton's radio sailing secretary Colin Davies. Wee Nip meets are never boring, ‘you never know what’s going to happen next’ expressed Ash Shaw, ‘after looking at boats all morning I couldn't distinguish mine. When the one I thought I was controlling got near I realised it was 54. Mine, No. 64 was going in all directions on the far side of lake’. Peter Shepherd despite feeling rather under the weather (not another nautical pun .. please) nobly volunteered to be R.O. and, with the help of Dave Alexander, record the results for this the last race of the season.
If you are bothering to read thus far, there is a 90% chance that you were one of the 16 entrants, and though the author tries to include everyone, that’s a hell of a lot of names to mention, fortunately Mr Jackson has already published the important bit, the results, so unless you’re in the top three, pour yourself that whiskey you didn’t win, sit down in front of the fire, and have a well earned rest. And if your name is Mr Coxon, Jackson, Raygada or Risdale, you won’t even have to buy the whiskey.
The slight delay in the mornings proceedings was timed to perfection as the previous ‘flat calm’ saw a gentle Southerly air flow come and go. Host Alan Smedley gave a brief briefing and they were off, chasing each other at, well at least half a knot. ‘It’s gratifying to see such a large and loyal turn out’ commented Emberton's radio sailing secretary Colin Davies. Wee Nip meets are never boring, ‘you never know what’s going to happen next’ expressed Ash Shaw, ‘after looking at boats all morning I couldn't distinguish mine. When the one I thought I was controlling got near I realised it was 54. Mine, No. 64 was going in all directions on the far side of lake’. Peter Shepherd despite feeling rather under the weather (not another nautical pun .. please) nobly volunteered to be R.O. and, with the help of Dave Alexander, record the results for this the last race of the season.
If you are bothering to read thus far, there is a 90% chance that you were one of the 16 entrants, and though the author tries to include everyone, that’s a hell of a lot of names to mention, fortunately Mr Jackson has already published the important bit, the results, so unless you’re in the top three, pour yourself that whiskey you didn’t win, sit down in front of the fire, and have a well earned rest. And if your name is Mr Coxon, Jackson, Raygada or Risdale, you won’t even have to buy the whiskey.
