A gorgeous spring morning welcomed 14 competitors, including 11 visitors, to Rollesby Broad Sailing Club for round 2 of the JJ Boats and Tempra Tech Phantom Eastern Series.

The early morning sunshine made rigging a joy but left patchy conditions on the water, with barely enough breeze to blow away any excesses of previous days or nights. With each course mark positioned to make the best of the wind local Norfolk boy James, watch me new Kers system work, Jarvey sailed off into the distance followed by Mark Weston and in third John Wayling. Why we didn’t all pack up then I don’t know, as they often say the first race result normally provides a good indication of the overall result! Sorry if I have spoilt any surprises! For the top boys the rest of the races followed a similar pattern of competition with occassional good results posted by both Simon Fielden and James Case.
Amoung the less capable, i.e. around me, a game of snakes and ladders ensued with considerable gains and losses made in each race and often on each leg. Given that I was so far back I can only say that local knowledge counts for nothing and I should have paid more attention at the training day at Alton. It also makes report writing about what happened at the front quite difficult!

In the spirit of phantom competition and to ensure our commitment to green issues and carbon offsetting (more complicated than just releasing the forestay) the organic chutney challenge was inaugurated. A choice local chutney (purchased using my money from the tea lady) was awarded to anyone finishing sixth. Those who got themselves a prize for being in a pickle were; Ian Ayres, Ian Miller, Jez Taylor, me and finally for 6th overall Nick Radley.

As the cream always rises to the top so congrats must go to James Jarvey of Hickling Broad for a well deserved win, Mark Weston of West Riding for travelling such a distance for a second place, and to an unusual third for John Wayling of Northampton (don’t worry John you can always use it as you discard!)

Later in the month the battle resumes at Hunts where I am sure we will meet some newcomers to the series. I look forward to seeing you all there.