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