SONATA WORLD SERIES

LADIES RACE 6 AUGUST 2009

It was only after arguments, pleading and the threat of blackmail that the Executive of Team Blues breaker reluctantly agreed that the Ladies Race should form part of the World Series. From here onwards dear readers the plot thickens.

A victory by the Piano would mean honours even with just three races to go and a good chance that the huge rewards which accompany the

Magnificent World Series trophy could go to L’homme de trois noms .A definite possibility bearing in mind Pianos recent form.

The Team BB Cray Super Computer was fed with every known combination of wind, tide, sea state. Crew displacement was a major factor. One further parameter that was omitted however was the possible effect of the Simply Alto battle flag a dazzling array of three red Coots rampant clearly designed to distract even the most diligent opposition. Julia Altos helm for the night was clearly unnerved by this display. “They all seemed such gentlemen” she told me later “but a girl must always be on her guard”.

With winds forecast to gust to 4 knots Team Blues strategy was to shed weight which lead to St. Tom and his 15 stones being banished to the shore together with the remaining crews sailing bags, hand bags, makeup bags and purses. St Tom was replaced by a trio of the most accomplished and determined yachtspersons in the entire known world (apart from China and they cheat and of course the Italians and French who are known to have no moral fibre).

Helm Rebecca Vernal soon to star in a German produced movie currently being shot in South Devon, Sarah nee Hodgson (soon to be Barnes) and St. Toms daughter-in-law Jane a star of the Leicester Canal system, in total weighing in at less than twenty stone presented a formidable challenge..

And the strategy worked, Team Blues swept to victory with the Piano several octaves adrift and Alto clearly off song. And they all lived happily ever after-or at least until next Thursday