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Starcross SteamerA clash with the Dinghy Show and Mothers Day was not the best
of scheduling for the 2005 Steamer and the twelve fleet was not
as numerous as hoped but still Clear skies and a lightening breeze boded well for a rerun of last years 12 victory, with some glum faces amongst the trapeze boat crews, however the race committee had decided to give everyone else a chance with 12s starting 41 minutes after the first start and about five minutes behind the Merlins... Once it was pointed out to them that the handicap was in fact 1093 and not 1003(!) we got a rather more sensible start time. Early leader amongst the 12s was Richard King in 3377, however
this was unfortunately due to having started a minute early.
Richard was nevertheless pleased with the opportunity to try
out his shiny new sails in some clear air and showed a good turn
of speed. The early lead from the start proper was shared by The lead was decided by a port-starboard at the first windward mark with Crispin being forced to tack away allowing Tim and Sam to pull out a bit of distance. Mark and Jimmy had quickly managed to work up through the fleet to 3rd. The pattern of the breeze was now beginning to become apparent with a regular lighter/stronger cycle every 10 minutes or so, 3295 managing to leave Mark and Crispin in a light spot and stretch out a little further. Unfortunately the lead Wayfarer was able to catch the stronger breeze as well giving them what ultimately proved an unassailable lead. The next couple of laps saw Mark eventually find a way past
the fast moving Crispin, although Crispin came back strongly
on the next downwind leg in a patch of breeze that nobody else
got. The stronger bits of breeze were ultimately the downfall
of the 12s this year with the bigger boats hitting hull speed
and the assymetrics getting on the plane. Into the last lap and
Mike Calvert in his Merlin came charging through the fleet to
take second. A Comet Trio edged ahead of Tim & Sam on the
reach while a B14 slipped round the leeward mark just ahead and
then two RS400s rolled through in the last 100yds. So that was
that, the first 12 being N3295 finishingup 8th overall in a fleet
of 60. Mark and Jimmy held off Crispin for second several places
further back. Tina Mackie, ably crewed by fellow 12 helm James
Chew, managed to scoop the first lady helm prize for 12 Results: 1) N3295 Tim Laws & Sam Game
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