Glorious sunny weather with a stiff north westerly breeze greated the throng as they began to assemble for the 2010 'Exmoor Beastie'. There seamed to be a reluctance at first for many to commit to racing and sign in & pay their entrance fee. However once the race officers briefing was over there was a rush of entrants. By the time the last had signed in there was a record entry of 49 boats, for this fifteen year old event. Shortly after the initial start the first boats got under way with the slower boats going first, followed by faster boats according to their handicap.
By the time the middle of the fleet boats were starting the wind had picked up to the forecast force 4, hence some of those who had not sailed during the winter or checked their equipment were soon seen to be checking the water temperature. About an hour after the initial start, at the end of the first lap, some of the faster boats were overhalling the early starters with many of the Phantoms moving through the fleet. The three Tasars racing, had been having their own tussle for the first lap, but Lionel Rigby managed to break away from the two Wimbleball boats, to be leading Tasar.
As time progressed and cold, exhaustion and the gusty Wimbleball conditions took their toll there were more retirements. It was no suprise to those watching and organising the race that the four leading boats after three hours were all Phantoms, with first place again going to a local boat sailed by Simon Hawkes.
But where was the'Beast' in this years event? Some say it was this gusty conditions with violent wind shifts, others said it was the long pull up the slipway after the race; but no! The real 'Exmoor Beast' was the ale used as prizes kindly donated by a local brewery.

If you left any sailing kit at Wimbleball, it has been locked away and will be held for only a few weeks before being disposed of. The club is open on Sundays. Let me know if you think you may have left anything.