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Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open Meeting
FULL RESULTS
Sunday 18th April 2010
at Banbury Sailing Club
In the run-up to an Open, the host club always
watches the weather quite closely. Is it going to be a good sailing breeze
from the south west or a howling gale or a horrible easterly? This year, we
also had dust from Icelandic volcanoes resulting in UK flights being cancelled
(and also a lot of dust on my car!) but on the all important weather forecast,
the wind strength just got less and less.
The end result on the Sunday morning at 8.30am was that the waters of
Boddington Reservoir were like the proverbial mill pond – absolutely flat calm
and only good for looking at your reflection while you improved your sun tan.
You begin to wonder how many have looked at the forecast and decided to spend
the day at home?
However, despite the dire forecast and the pesky Icelanders, the travelling
circus soon rolled into town as 26 visitors turned up to join 6 Banbury boats
to give a very respectable turnout of 32 boats. Fortunately, by the time that
they arrived a gentle easterly breeze had set in across the reservoir so that
the race officer was able to get the fleet away on time for the first race at
11.00am.
The fleet got away cleanly with Attack of the Clones (Dave Winder &
Pippa Taylor) taking an early lead from Two Pints of Lager (Matt Biggs
& Ben Hollis), Monkey Business (Simon Blake & Alex Jackson) and
Salmon en Croûte (Duncan Salmon & Ian Garwood). On the second lap,
Faithless (Richard Whitworth & Olly Turner) came through from 5th place to
take the lead which they held to the gun on the third lap. In second place was
Monkey Business followed by Two Pints of Lager and Attack of
the Clones.
The second race was run back to back and by this time, the wind had started to
drop even further and become more variable such that just before the start,
the direction changed considerably so that the initial beat to the first mark
became a reach broad enough for several boats to fly spinnakers. Monkey
Business took an early lead over Two Pints of Lager, Filthy /
Gorgeous (Matt Mee & Chris Robinson), Stomper (Tom Stewart & Liam
Dempsey) and Salmon en Croûte with this order being held to the finish.
Unfortunately as the leading boats finished, what little wind there was died
virtually completely so that it was some time before more than half of the
fleet finished although a number gave up the struggle.
After an extended lunch, the fleet decided that it wanted another race as
three boats were in a position to win the day so a reduced fleet of 24 boats
took to the water in a very light northerly breeze on a reset and shortened
course. Needless to say, the first start ended in a general recall and when
the black flag was used for the second start, 5 boats were over the line in
the last minute including one of the possible winners.
Monkey Business took the lead from the start from Filthy / Gorgeous
and Faithless with this order remaining for the two laps to the gun.
This gave the overall meeting to Simon Blake and Alex Jackson in 3707,
Monkey Business with Richard Whitworth and Olly Turner in 3703,
Faithless in second place and Matt Mee & Chris Robinson in 3703, Filthy
/ Gorgeous in third.
The prize for first Prime of Life Boat (boat aged 10 – 20 years) went to Paul
Hollis and Richard Elliot in 3563, Leader and the prize for the first
Mature Boat (boat over 20 years old) went to Jon Steward and Nick
Yannakoyorgos in 2997, Cream Cracker. The prizes were presented
by Jane Tarver, the Club’s Commodore and helm of Black is Back.
Thanks to the duty crew ably led by Club President, Dave Cornish, Wendy,
Shirley and Ann catering team who kept everybody fed, Simon who signed
everyone in and put up the results, Ralph behind the bar and to Rod Bowes for
the excellent photos. Without such helpers the day would not have been
possible nor as enjoyable for everyone.
Many sponsors deserve a mention here too… Speed Sails sponsor the Silver
Tiller series, and the following companies sponsor the Midland Circuit:
Dirtyhands, Dunoon Ceramics, MF Promotions, Paintcraft, Pinnell & Bax, Speed
Sails and Winder Boats. Thanks to all.
Richard Turner
Merlin Rocket Fleet Captain
Banbury Sailing Club
FULL RESULTS
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As Chairman, you should know which mark is next?
A rare burst of speed?
Leader tries to live up to her name
Leading Banbury boat really enjoying the conditions
Winner of the Mature Boat prize
Fastest on the water? |
