MAIDENHEAD SC ALBACORE OPEN – April 23rd 2006

A grey, wet day greeted those who ventured to Maidenhead Sailing Club for the Albacore Open on 23rd April. The nine local boats were joined by two visitors: Matt Potter and Mark Fowler from Notts County SC and James and Robbie Blackburn from Sutton Bingham SC. Others who noted the weather forecast stayed at home, while the eleven boats raced in flat calm!
The first race started in a F0-1/2 with any wind there was moving through 180 degrees. Local boat Derrick Williams crewed by Julie Maidment had a clear start at the port end of the line, on their own in clear water, whilst the remainder of the fleet tried to cross the line. At the first mark Williams/Maidment led from Potter/Fowler and Robin and Victoria Brooks. The wind picked up (still below F1!) and the fleet caught up. The lead changed to Potter/Fowler however rounding the final mark Williams/Maidment re-took the lead. After one lap and over one hours racing Williams/Maidment won with Potter/Fowler in second and Trevor and Ann Smith in third who passed the Brooks’ on the line.
A second race began after a fantastic lunch with Williams/Maidment again having a good start; it was however new MSC member Gareth Edwards crewed by Katy Clarke who led the race most of the way to win from Williams/Maidment and Potter/Fowler with the Smith’s in fourth.
This gave the final results as:
1st 8061: Derrick Williams & Julie Maidment, Maidenhead SC, 3 points
2nd 7143: Matt Potter & Mark Fowler, Notts County SC, 5 points
3rd 8000: Trevor & Ann Smith, Maidenhead SC, 7 points
It was the first time a Maidenhead SC crew have won the Open in a number of years!