Bala Long Distance race

well an early start to Bala , get the dinghy ready motor out to Black Magic, undo the cover which was full of water , pump out the bilge , do the mizzen and bumpkin put the main up and foldwhich later unfolded as did the job cos i undid a wrong rope. then i went to see who was around see what the course was , help Nic on Elizabeth Rose, then as i was walking back to the far end Ritchie shouted someone wanted to crew. so James Macyntyre umped aboard who also had a cruiser and we set about getting off the mooring. we did ok and found out afer a few manouveres the ropes were not right. with 43 boats on the start line it was a bit hectic . i found myself in the middle while most were on the far pin, i went on port tack but this was a mistake as the besty wind was the left side we dropped behind bigtime, we got things sorted on the boat and settled in James was a good crew and sorted things while i helmed or vice versa. the wind came in fits and starts, Black Magic heeeled over nice and then powered up, with alot more tacking just to get into the middle of the lake we eventually rounded the windward mark to be greeted by howard on safety taking a few snaps. the return leg was a reach/ braod reach down the middle but again we were wrong and should have gone to the left side again(rightside going lol) we eventually made it to the leeward mark and greeted by rob on oboat sayinmg we would be finnished but with no hoot as others were still going. time was 2h25 and 1h25 from the other mark. we then worked our way back to the mooring and packed the boat away and put on its new cover, looking very smart. i was tired after packing the rib in the car and headed off home. very pleased for my maiden sail on Black Magic very sedate boat