Intense racing in first Intergalactic race for 2018

Merde got to the line on the gun and first – but slow, with theVirtual 20 meters back and already at cruise speed. An epic foiler-on-foiler, side-by-side battle then ensued, with the theVirtuole nearly creeping over Merde in the gusts and Merde pulling away in the lulls. A merde Merde tack relinquished the lead to theVirtuell, who nicked around the top mark a full 20 seconds in front. Virtual’s experimental kite system worked a (Halloween) treat… letting Merde close up again; but a conservative kite run, verging on feeble, really, saw Merde fade to 3rd. In contrast, MoreFM had a scorching downhill run and got right up theVirtuole’s ‘ole. The magnificent experimental kite system of theVirtue-all then decided it wasn’t really douse kite time, so they kept going downwind for an addition bit – letting MoorFM then Merde zip ‘round the bottom mark ahead. That bit was pretty funny. The fat Merde crew was then able to convert the building breeze into superior upwind speed to blast past the low pointing MoreFem on the first tack. At the top mark the non-foiling Rampant then just joined in from nowhere and started a big gain on merdey Merde; so the old dears on Merde had to pull finger and push the kite run hard, to arrive at the bottom mark mostly out of control and having the vapours, but still in front. Rampant then decided they weren't coming second, so they didn’t turn at the bottom mark and were last seen smashing off through the waves in a harbour long sleigh ride. Merde was thus untouched up to the finish – delivered first low points for the season to the most raggedly looking boat. That was great racing! The Intergalactic battle is ON

Pete "merde Crew" Holder