05/10/2026
Three junior sailors travelled to Bury Lake Young Mariners, Rickmansworth for the National Schools Sailing Association Single Handed Team Racing event sailed in Toppers.
Clearly the Friday night wind dances were unsuccessful as they arrived Saturday morning to a dead flat calm. After some homework and games of cards, eventually there was enough wind to race. Unfortunately it didn't last long and after 5 races the postponement flag went up again. Reading sailors were glad to be in one of the races and to actually get some sailing in. The rest of the day was spent with paddling competitions and raft building, waiting for wind which unfortunately never arrived.
Sunday started with the additon of fog to the zero wind but luckily it cleared quickly. Plan B was knockout team racing on a Windward Leeward course paddling Toppers, whilst yet again waiting for some wind. All kinds of mad rules were invented and when the Reading team went round a mark the wrong way all three of them had to go round the mast before they could continue paddling.
Finally at midday there was enough wind and racing got going. All credit to the organisers who managed to get another 35 races run, giving each of the 20 teams entered 4 races each.
Reading had two wins with some great sailing and some very successful tactics against teams from Kent and Northants, but also two near losses with great sailing but silly mistakes against teams from Derbyshire and Worcester. A 50% win rate and lots of tie breaks placed them 9th overall.
Well done to everyone, thanks to Karen as team manager and to the parents for their support.
