Welland open meeting

Perhaps it was with a little too much optimism (or inability to look up weather reports!) that Paul & Christine N3157 and Brian & Ros N3271 arrived early at Welland on Sunday morning to see Andy Prior struggling to rig his boat in the increasing blow. The wind was whistling in the rigging as Andy bravely volunteered to test the conditions out on the water. Daughter Charlotte wisely declined Dad’s offer for a sail and so Andy set off in his Foolish N3465 with Tom Bell on board. The beat up the river looked just about under control (well, nearly!) but as soon as they turned for home the capsize earned a 9.5 rating, and in the ensuing rescue the port shroud parted.

Back on shore it was noted that there were a number of absences from the promised fleet; they had obviously seen the weather forecast and decided that racing would be unlikely or even suicidal! Gerard Copsey’s non-appearance was put down to the fact that he had won last year sailing only two races and that he would turn up for the last two – and he did arrive, just in time for lunch blaming car problems!

The stalwarts hung around hoping that the wind would abate from the estimated 20+ gusting 35+ - which it did early afternoon. Andy hurriedly fitted a set of spare shrouds supplied from Gerald’s toolkit and everyone rushed around getting boats down to the water – just as the wind seriously freshened again, with white horses on what is a very narrow river.

Having enjoyed breakfast on arrival, an excellent lunch and good company, it was decided that enough was enough and the meeting was finally abandoned.