ALBACORE OPEN AT ELTON SAILING CLUB.

 23.JUNE 2002

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Nine entrants turned up for what was to prove a blustery day.

The first race started with sunshine and force 2-3 winds. The first two legs were closely fought between Peter Lawrence of Tewkesbury Sailing Club and Darren Nield of Elton with Lawrence dominating the beats. Nield benefited downwind from a lightweight crew (his son David). The third leg saw David Chandler (Elton) and David Hammond (Ogden S.C.) drive through into second and third places on two fast downwind legs. These three remained close for 2 laps when Lawrence found a huge lift to expand a lead which was to see him through to the finish with Hammond in second place and Chandler in third.

By the second race wind speeds had increased to F3. The first lap was enlivened when Andy Milward’s (Tewkesbury S.C.) crew abandoning ship on a reach. Dave Chandler’s early lead was taken by Darren Nield on the downwind leg. Sharp work on the wind shifts brought Hammond up to third whilst Lawrence recovered from a poor first beat to gain fourth place by the end of the first lap. Planing gusts stretched the fleet which was fortunate for Nield whose centreboard snapped shortly before the finish only yards ahead of Chandler. Hammond took 3^rd place.

The final race was still open in strengthening winds with 2 competitors on 5 points and 2 on 6 points. Hammond led at the first with Chandler second but a mistaken mark cost him five places leaving Chandler and Nield to fight it out on the wind shifts. Hammond came back to second but then retired after a capsize. This left John Howard in third place at the finish.

Final result

1^st. Darren and David Nield/Charles Chandler (Elton S.C.).

2^nd. David and James Chandler (Elton S.C.).

3^rd. Peter Lawrence and Adam Savage (Tewkesbury S.C.)

Pictures from the event are in the picture section, here.