Race Day 24 May 2026

For the fourth race day of this Spring series the weather played ball, with a good steady wind from the ENE backing to NE as the day progressed, and a slight chop on the water.

Race 1 started with all three Balaton boats jostling for the line and all over the line within 30 seconds. The crew of Gemini Dos, which had been dismasted and out of commission for some weeks, was looking forward to a good race, but the pull cord on their outboard broke so they failed to make the start. Sirocco took the lead with a tremendous start, but was overhauled by Lavanter on the second lap. Vision started well but began to fall off the pace after about 3 laps. A good clean race with all the boats sailing well.

Race 2, again a good start with all four boats (Gemini Dos having fixed their earlier problem) all crossing the line within 50 seconds with Lavanter and Gemini Dos neck in neck. Vision seemed to be struggling from the very start and was eventually lapped by the other three boats. However she carried on and completed the race, but one lap short of the others.

There were no major incidents, a good days sailing by all crews in perfect wind and sea conditions. Gemini could have had a clearer win, maybe, if she hadn't dragged three of her fenders through the water.

You can see how close the racing was in the second race by spotting the 3 masts in one of the photos that was taken from the fourth boat.

George Noden, the Race Officer, expressed his thanks to Maggie and Bob Blinkhorn for doing an excellent job as his assistants while Martin Bisofsky and Brian Murray on the support boat kept a close eye out for possible problems.

After applying the handicaps the Average Lap Times and results were:-

Race 1, Lavanter 308 secs, Sirocco 336 secs, Vision 346 secs

Race 2, Gemini Dos 325 secs, Lavanter 333

secs, Sirocco 344 secs, Vision 415 secs

Race Report 10/05/26

Race Report May 10^th 2026 by Terry Chapman

We’ve had a disappointing start to the Spring 26 season with the first race day cancelled due to bad weather and the second because only one boat in the normal fleet was seaworthy.

Today’s race day was full of drama. We all met up well in time and unloaded gear etc., Lisa and her friend duly collect money and competitors names and paid for the support boat fuel. The usual swimming jetty was closed off for maintenance so we had to go the long jetty near the Occidental hotel to set up.

Because of the distance from the marina there was a light delay laying the course and Sirocco was late leaving but were able to start the first race at 11:19 in a 4 knot wind. Vision got a good start, closely followed by Sirocco, Vision just taking the first mark in front with both battling closely. Lavanter then came up to take the lead on the second lap which she maintained to the finish. There was much shouting for water between Vision and Sirocco at the third mark, with the wind starting to pick up to 7 gusting 8 knots and to 9 knots by the finish at the end of lap four.

The wind was due to increase dramatically at 14.00 so we quickly got on with starting race 2 when the steering gear on the support boat failed, leaving them helpless. They started the long paddle back to the marina but Sirocco decided to lend a hand towing them in.

Being conscious of the forecast we had to start the race without them. Apart from a few mistakes Lavanter and Vision were close at the end of lap 2 but then Lavanter pulled away to 6 minutes ahead at the finish.

Just as we finished the wind blew up strongly as forecast. Without the support boat the sailboats had to collect the buoys but the engine on Levanter wouldn’t start so they also had to get a tow back. The cause was later identified as a wrong thickness kill switch toggle not engaging the switch fully.

All in all an eventful day.

Thanks to all the duty officers, especially Lisa and her friend who did a splendid job all round, thank you ladies.

Results (Average lap times)

First Race: Lavanter 449 secs, Vision 520 secs, Sirocco 550 secs

Second Race: Lavanter 452 secs, Vision 507 secs

Varnishing and the worrying changes to the border in Gibraltar. | Ep163

Watch the video HERE.