For a while it very much looked like this year's Town Plate Pursuit Race wasn't going to happen. There were sailors with their boats, safety boat crew and race officers and even glorious sunshine: but there wasn't any wind! At 10.30 am, decision time, a light breeze kicked in and after a quick briefing boats took to the water. First away were the slowest handicap boats, Hartley 12.2's, sailed by Cadet members of the club. Eventually all faster boats followed with the quickest boat, a 505 starting last. In the light and patchy conditions it didn't take long for the Aero's of Robin Goff and Stuart Turner to get to the front of the fleet. Turner, sailing a larger 9sq rig was well positioned to overtake Goff as the 100 minute race drew to the end but the wind dropped suddenly leaving both boats struggling but with Goff clear ahead.
Prizes were awarded after the race by David Shopland representing N Somerset Council who provided the original trophy in 1963.
Overall Results
1st - Robin Goff (Aero 7)
2nd - Stuart Turner (Aero 9)
3rd - Rory Stretch and Paul Hield (505)
First Cadet - Elizabeth Summerall
