May 20, 2022

Strong winds led to the cancellation of the planned POETS Island Race at Ullswater Yacht Club on Friday, May 13. Even the Ullswater Steamers did not run!
Despite a similar forecast for gusting strong winds, eleven boats came to the start line for the POETS race on Friday, May 20. The course was Club - Ravencragg - Beauthorn Harbour Waterside Club, 2 laps.
The wind strengthened during the afternoon to around 25mph, challenging conditions for those taking part. Invictus, an Etap21 sailed by Wally Riley and Dave Giles came within an ace of losing her mast when one of the mast supports failed. Only the quick thinking of the crew saved the spar from total collapse.
The Sonata, Roxy Lady, helmed by Sue Harding suffered damage to her mainsheet fittings but after emergency repairs was able to carry on to the finish. The smaller Hunters of Sam Harding in Suki and Raymond Harle and John Wales in Gazelle performed well in the conditions as did the Sadler, Aveta, sailed by Gordon and Cathy Gledson in what for their boat was perfect weather. But no-one could catch Cruiser Class Captain Colin Brown in his Beneteau 21 with David Kitchen as crew who finished fifteen minutes ahead of everyone else for a commendable first place.
Results: 1st Colin Brown, 2nd Gordon Gledson, 3rd Wayne Gorrie and Barrie Cheetham (Ruffian)
- David Hansford

Last updated 09:02 on 7 June 2022