Patience Rewarded as Breeze Arrives for Spring Series Races 7 & 8

Published 10:40 on 7 May 2026

At 9:30 on Sunday morning there was barely a breath of wind at KYC, prompting an on-the-lawn discussion among competitors about whether racing should be cancelled or simply delayed. Following a democratic vote, sailors opted to postpone the start and wait for conditions to improve a decision that proved worthwhile.

The fast fleet eventually got away in approximately 4 knots of breeze using a pontoon start, sailing down Hawkers and around a mark laid to the south to create a welcome beat back up towards the main river before returning to the club line. Despite the light conditions, the fast fleet completed two laps, while the slow fleet sailed one.

With the breeze beginning to fill in, competitors agreed to run a second race. To minimise waiting time on the water, the slow fleet started before the fast fleet had returned ashore.

By the second race the wind had increased to around 810 knots, producing excellent sailing conditions under bright sunshine and rewarding everyone who had waited patiently through the calm start to the day.

The slow fleet enjoyed particularly close racing throughout both races, with Andy Ash-Vie producing a consistent performance to take victory in both outings.

In the fast fleet, the ILCA 7s set the pace, with Ian Bye taking line honours in both races. However, in the second race Sue Handasyde Dick, sailing her ILCA 4, claimed victory on corrected time after a superb sail.

Many thanks go to the support boat crews and all volunteers for keeping racing running smoothly, and also to Mark and Alistair for providing some excellent photographs from the day.