Solo Open at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club
by Nick Fisher 13 Jun 2011 04:47 PDT
11-12 June 2011
This took place on the weekend of the 11th/12th June. Two races Saturday and 3 races Sunday, with 3 to count overall. The intention being to encourage the older sailors to join in and those that only wanted Sunday sailing could still qualify.
Saturday was a beautiful day which saw the lake in all its glory, a fair breeze and we were off to the start. Joining us was our Octogenarian sailor Dave Macklin. David obviously has to choose his sailing days carefully now and it was a fabulous day. Race Officer, Ralph Singleton, set a reverse “P” course due to wind direction and the need to keep us clear of weed patches. The Lasers, who we shared the weekend with, set off. Just before our start there was a wind shift which put a large bias at the pin, with a 40 yd advantage already the leaders were off and running. Chris Goldhawk was pulling out a good lead while yours truly was going backwards. The wind was picking up now and unfortunately David decided that it was a little too much. I was too far back to see the front runners fighting it out but Chris finished 1st with Stephen Penfold 2nd and Marcus Davies 3rd.
Race 2 was delayed due to a large wind change, veering 30 degrees. Once the wind had settled and the course re-jigged we set off to an increasing breeze. Chris again quick out the blocks and won again. Graham Cranford-Smith in 2nd and Stephen Penfold in 3rd. With only 2 races scheduled we packed up for the day with tales of the next days forecast bouncing around.
Sunday opened with rain, white horses and gusts of 30 kts, a few were put off but 12 hardy souls ventured out. A clean getaway saw the fleet split quickly but unluckily Errol Edwards head butted his boom and came off worse and retired for the day. A long beat saw the leaders pull away quite quickly. We were now sailing a more conventional triangle / sausage course and the gybe mark saw a few capsizes with Marcus Davies heading fast down the lake before making the turn! With the wind strength as it was the race officer made the race about 45 mins long and we went in for lunch.
Chris first, Graham 2nd and Simon Jones (teign) 3rd.
With lunch taken and the wind holding steady we were off and running, who’s at the front? Looks like Chris again, what was it Andy Roddick said to Andy Murray at Queens? Let’s at least keep it social. No chance. So, Chris 1st, Simon 2nd, Graham 3rd.
Race 5, So with Chew Solo fleet Capt. Nick Fisher showing his age and the need to set up the prize giving calling it a day, the final race saw Chris Goldhawk taking his fifth 1st, Graham CS coming 2nd and Simon Jones 3rd.
Overall Results:
1st Chris Goldhawk, 5075 (Chew Valley Lake)
2nd Graham Cranford-Smith, 4692 (Chew Valley Lake)
3rd Simon Jones, 4866 (Teign Corinthians)
4th Steve Penfold, 4809 (Chew Valley Lake)
1st Over 60, Geoff Silcock, 4668 (Bowmoor)
1st Over 70, John Daniels, 4040 (RYA)