DART SAILABILITY TRIUMPH OVER STOKE GABRIEL YOUNGSTERS

Some of the Stoke Gabriel and Dart Sailability Sailors

On Saturday a group of young sailors from Stoke Gabriel Boating Association arrived in Galmpton to challenge the Sailors of Dart Sailability in the annual sailing match.

With a fresh wind the two three boat teams participated in four races. There was close racing in all the races with many place changes. As the breeze freshened the youngsters found it strange sailing the sit in boats used by Dart Sailability. Dart Sailability won the first match with Stoke Gabriel winning the second. In the third race a large wind shift enables Charlie and Anna from Dart Sailability to recover from a bad start and lead at the first mark. Their eventual second place and much place changing further down the fleet gave Dart Sailability their second victory.

As the last race approached one of the Dart Sailability boats had to retire. Fortunately Stoke Gabriel had brought four crews and offered one of their crews to sail for Dart Sailability. Any concerns that they might not try hard were immediately dispelled as they forced one of the Stoke Gabriel boats over the line before the start signal. Amidst the havoc Paul and Bob from Dart Sailability missed the start, however Adili and Anna calmly sailed away to lead the race.

With Stoke Gabriel winning that race the overall result went to a tie break on total points scored over the four races. Dart Sailability eventually won 40 ¼ to 42 ¾ to regain the trophy. All agreed that they had had a wonderful day on the water showing that people of all ages and abilities can compete together on the water.

As always they all returned to the club house for prize giving and to enjoy the wonderful sandwiches, nibbles and wide selection of cakes provided by the shore team. Thank you.

Close racing at start of last race