The first Shadow TT of the new season took place at Rutland Sailing Club, four Shadows were greeted with winds ranging from 10kts - 35kts ! three boats started the first race, Anthony Wykes capsized shortly after the start, Ian Smith retired at the windward mark and Phil Neal managed to complete one lap only to be told racing had been abandoned due to the wild conditions.

Sunday dawned with around 15kts and the occasional squall and some big gusts, but racing was on and four races were completed. Race one saw Phil open up a good lead only to choose the wrong side of the course downwind to let Ian thro and take the race from Phil, Paul and Anthony, Race two saw the wind rise to Phils liking and he took the race after a good battle with Paul, Ian in Third. Race three saw Phil again take a good lead only to blow it with a capsize to let Paul and Ian battle it out, Paul making the better rounding at the leward gate and taking the third race.Anthony retired with tiller damage.

It was all down to the final race, and in the windiest conditions of the day Paul led the way with Ian and Phil battling for second, by the final downwind leg Phil had passed Ian and was chasing Paul hard to the finish, despite stalling at the last rounding Paul held on to take the race and the first TT win followed by Phil and Ian.

Although this was a Shadow TT it was also the Rutland Cat Open, and Shadows came in 1st 2nd and 3rd seeing off F16s and Hurricanes on the water as well as Handicap showing what a good boat it is.

Thanks to the crew at Rutland in what were challenging conditions. The next TT is at Gurnard IOW early June.

1st - Paul Tanner

2nd - Philip Neal

3rd - Ian Smith

4th - Anthony Wykes

Contributed by Ian
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