Unpredictable Weather and Tight Margins at Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake

Shotwick Lake is known to sailors as being unpredictable and exciting, and at the latest Border Counties meeting, it did not fail to live up to that reputation. The lake served up a compelling mix of shifting breezes, gusts firing close to 20 knots and even a taste of unplanned swimming lessons.

The first race of the day got off to a precise start, albeit with the pre-warning that the right-hand side of the course would serve to be advantageous due to the wind’s direction. Early control of the race was grabbed by Paul Newman in his Streaker, after mastering a promising start.

However, the lead did not put him out of sight. The fleet, tightly knit, navigated through the windward mark. As boats spread out gradually, the breeze taking a sabbatical added up to the amusement.

By lap two, the competition had reached fever pitch. An eight-boat gaggle had gathered below the top three, and the racing was as tight as it gets—in the sort of fashion that only sailing enthusiasts would appreciate.

The final run produced a showdown—the classic Streaker duel. With Paul and Pete Planing fiercely towards the final marks, Paul held on to be the first at the finishing line.

As an encore to the first thrilling course, the weather decided to show its unpredictable side again, with 90-degrees of wind shift resulting in a complete change of course for the subsequent race—evidencing that a day at a Shotwick lake relationship is never short of adventure and drama.