May 6th 2007
see the photos
here
Well we’d all read the weather
forecast but hadn’t realised that the wind strength listed
was an average – so 18 knots actually meant anything between
8 and 28. Everyone therefore had considerably more entertainment
than had originally been anticipated, and unfortunately it proved
too much for many.
The wind didn’t really arrive until just after the first
start. Neville Herbert was first at the first mark, sailed away
from the fleet and did exactly the same thing in all three races.
Behind him things were much closer with local helm Emma Johnson
getting there second and Mike Banner 3rd. Jean Simmons and Norman
Halstead were not so well placed in 9th and 10th but pulled through
to 3rd and 4th by the end of the next reach. By the end of lap
2 Halstead had pulled through to 2nd but celebrated the fact by
capsizing to windward in spectacular fashion on the run. Simmons
continued to fight with Banner for second place but had the upper
hand by the end.
The start line was not anywhere near as busy after lunch since
the wind strength had increased and the gusts were quite vicious.
Even so, race 2 saw fewer capsizes as a result of a course change
to avoid the dead run. Herbert won with Halstead 2nd and Simmons
3rd.
That left a three-way fight for second overall between Simmons,
Banner, and Halstead, but Herbert had already won the event. Even
so he started again and once again sailed away from what remained
of the fleet. In the fight for second place Banner took the advantage
followed by Simmons and then Halstead. The second reach saw Halstead
plane past Simmons to 3rd which became second place when Banner
decided to do some dredging with the top of his mast at the gybe
mark. A close contest for second place effectively ended when
Simmons also fell in at a gybe, and although Halstead did later
get laid flat on the beat he recovered with plenty of distance
to spare.
It was certainly a shame that some of the competitors found the
conditions too difficult – especially one who had travelled
from Scotland. However, those that were able to compete had a
great deal of fun and are not short of bruises to show off!
report by Norman Halstead
Overall:
1st 6825 Neville Herbert and Steven Penfold, Tamesis SC (2)
2nd 6403 Norman Halstead and Ruth Birkett, South Cerney SC (4)
3rd 6439 Jean Simmons and Derek Simmons, South Cerney SC (5)
4th 8067 Mike Banner and Pippa Mitchell, Windsford Flash SC (7)
5th 6413 Emma Johnson and Paul Kimmens, South Cerney SC (11)
