After a 30 minute postponement due to squall passing through race officer of the day Howard East got this year’s John Ashley Trophy underway. A large course in the Channel had been set with a short first beat to the Bandstand mark followed by a very long one to the Clevedon Buoy and a run to the Avon buoy before returning via the end of the pier to the start line. Although the wind ashore didn’t seem that strong offshore it was, and with large waves conditions were demanding. Jon Somers and his son Diggory sensibly decided this was too much for their Miracle and retired early in the race. In the meantime Phil Isaac (Phantom) and Martin Gibson (Laser) battled it out to the Clevedon
buoy with Isaac finding the Phantom over-powered just rounding behind Laser. However, he quickly overtook Gibson on the run and pulled further ahead on the following reaches. The following Lasers of Chris Cooper, Paul Sheldon and Martin White also struggled and there were several capsizes. Despite pulling ahead on the reaches of the second lap Isaac was unable to beat the Laser on handicap. Fortunately there was a capable beach party to retrieve the dinghies and the 2 safety RIBs in the large waves on the slip and there was no damage to any boats, just a few bruised and tired sailors.
