RS400 Open

Saturday: Well the forecast was for not a lot of wind and that is what we got. Although before the start the wind had begun to fill in, with hopes of it being strengthened by a sea breeze (wishful thinking!), the wind never really settled down. The north wind that was blowing when the first course was set wasn’t the the direction when the fleet set off resulting in a fetch and a one sided run. Although Robbie D took an early lead it was to be Paul and Mike Allen from Leigh that won the race.

The second race was sailed in a better windward leeward fashion, but the biased line led to a general recall, and then a hectic second start. Dave Jones took the lead and maintained it to the finish

The final race was held in dying airs, and the run down seemed to be in flat water but the boats did keep moving. Team Bass took up the rear and stayed there! Fortunately the wind filled in slightly for the second beat, after which the race was shortened. With no discards at that stage it was Dave Jones that was overnight leader

Sunday: Would the wind fill in as expected? It’s looked hopeful! Famous last words?

The wind did fill in but there were some massive shifts which meant many places were won, or lost on the beat, and runs. After two back to back races, sailors were ready for some steak pie at lunchtime!

After lunch the wind was topped up slightly by the sea breeze giving the occasional opportunity for some planing. The wind shifts continued to be severe giving boats the opportunity to gain significantly if they managed to be in the right place when it shifted. Richard and Elaine Marsh held off Paul Allen in the final race to take the series.

A special award was given to Shaun Woodcock for marking the end of the  race as he crossed the line to the final hooter of the race.

After the prize giving, Richard thanked everyone for organising the weekend and keeping the sailors topped up with food as well as liquid refreshments

It is hoped that the RS400 open will form part of a larger travellers series next year, so it could be even bigger and better.

Overall winners Richard and Elaine Marsh with Commodore's wife Elaine Hunt

Overall

Sailed:6, Discards:1, To count:5, Entries:17, Scoring system:My scoring system
Rank SailNo Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Total Nett
1st 1164 Richard Marsh Elaine Marsh Elton SC (6.0) 3.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 17.0 11.0
2nd 1155 Paul Allen Mike Allen Leigh and Lowton SC 1.0 2.0 (6.0) 1.0 5.0 3.0 18.0 12.0
3rd 962 Dave Jones Joe Hartigan Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli 3.0 1.0 3.0 4.0 (6.0) 4.0 21.0 15.0
4th 1186 David Exley Chris Basset L&L SC (8.0) 4.0 5.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 28.0 20.0
5th 1204 Chris Gowers June Riley Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli (13.0) 5.0 4.0 3.0 8.0 1.0 34.0 21.0
6th 1148 Robin Dawson Mike Cowan Bass SC 2.0 8.0 (13.0) 6.0 2.0 7.0 38.0 25.0
7th 1257 Tim Hall Jess Roberts Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli 4.0 9.0 7.0 9.0 4.0 (10.0) 43.0 33.0
8th 1049 Mark Somerville Joe Roberts Bass SC 5.0 (14.0) 8.0 8.0 9.0 6.0 50.0 36.0
9th 1264 Chris Hogan Patrick Metcalf Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli (11.0) 6.0 10.0 7.0 7.0 8.0 49.0 38.0
10th 817 Caroline Exley Owyn Wallace L&L SC 7.0 10.0 11.0 (12.0) 10.0 9.0 59.0 47.0
11th 1172 Alex Fleming Nick Blore Leigh and LowtonSC 12.0 12.0 2.0 (16.0) 15.0 12.0 69.0 53.0
12th 929 John Whalley Jenny Whalley Royal Windermere (14.0) 11.0 9.0 13.0 11.0 11.0 69.0 55.0
13th 1303 William Carruthers Elaine Hunt Bass SC 9.0 (16.0) 14.0 11.0 12.0 14.0 76.0 60.0
14th 1298 Steve Hunt Ruth Critchley Bass SC (DNF) 7.0 12.0 10.0 DNF DNC 83.0 65.0
15th 1323 Phil Titmarsh Paul NIx Glossop SC 10.0 13.0 (DNF) 14.0 14.0 15.0 84.0 66.0
16th 1268 Alistair Rose Yvette Rose Royal Windermere (15.0) 15.0 15.0 15.0 13.0 13.0 86.0 71.0
17th 561 Shawn Woodcock Tony Cliff Bartley SC 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 (DNF) DNC 102.0 84.0

Scoring codes used

Code Description Points
DNC Did not come to the starting area 18
DNF Started but did not finish 18

 

Sailwave Scoring Software 1.94 Build 29
www.sailwave.com

Congratulations to Mik Chappell on winning the Beaver open meeting on Saturday!

Club racing for Fleet Challenge B Cup was held alongside the open meeting but on a separate course, and run on a personal handicap basis. The winds were even less favourable for those boats! After the first three races, Rhonwen is in the lead – will she go out on a high? Certainly she’s as vocal as ever, requesting (well instructing!) Mike Moore to cover up his builder’s bum. According to Kayla, that was nothing compared to what she had to cover her eyes from! Perhaps the sun’s going to her head?

Some short sharp races were the order of the day on Sunday. Richard Critchley made a more valiant effort in his Enterprise (than his previous attempt to get past the end of the jetty!) to win a couple of the races, and Mike Moore with Kayla won the final race as the wind picked up. But it was Big E who sailed consistently well to secure the series

All in all, when the sun shines, and the wind blows, Bass is one of the most fantastic places to be!


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