Miracle Southern Area Championships overall

by Richard Brameld on 11 May 2015 Miracle Southern Area Championships – Saturday 25th April dawned with a gentle breeze, sunshine and an Albacore open meeting greeted the travelling Miracles at Broadwater Sailing Club for the Southern Area Championships. An afternoon start for the first race gave plenty of time for the eight boats to get rigged and enjoy lunch provided by the club.

Race one - The first race got off to a close start with a few shouts of rules, but nothing came of it. Yvonne and Brian Mumford took to the front and quickly built an unassailable lead leaving everyone else to fight it out. Steve Fischer and Richard Fischer managed to pull away, and, with clean air, couldn't quite be caught by the chasing pack. With some great gains to be had on the beats depending on how lucky you were with the shifts there were lots of position changes. Jack Turnbull and Abbey Mumford managed to grab third on their first time sailing together.

Race two - After a quick snack and tea break the second race went off with a similar pattern as Yvonne and Brian showed everyone the back of a clean boat. This time it was Brian Jones and Paul Cook who managed to pull clear of the pack and took off in pursuit, unfortunately to no avail. With great wind shifts all over the place third again went to Jack and Abbey. Overnight Yvonne and Brian led with a three-way tie for second between Brian Jones, Jack Turnbull and Steve Fischer.

Race three - Sunday morning arrived along with a distinct chill and whiff of delicious breakfast pasties from the club house. Another two club boats turned up bringing the total to 10 and racing got under way nice and early. A change to yesterday's proceeding's with this time Brian Jones and Paul Cook being the ones that shot off to be chased by Yvonne and Brian Mumford but despite a good fight Brian and Paul were successful. With a good start from Claire Medcalf and John Finnemore, 2132 along with the two newcomers Pete Joseph and Grace Constant, 3403 and Andy Cooney and Joyce Moon, 3633 left everyone working hard to fight for the same positions as yesterday. The third place eventually went to Claire and John.

Race four - The race before lunch had all but planned out until the last beat. Yvonne and Brian were again too far ahead to be affected, but just as Jack and (Sunday crew) Hannah Mumford rounded the bottom mark there was a tremendous wind shift which left them pointing straight at the finish line. The boats ahead also had the benefit, but they were too far ahead and over the lake. Brian and Paul managed to not lose too much ground and finished second. Pete and Grace, Andy and Joyce and Jack and Hannah were left fighting all the way up to the committee boat where a last ditch tack from Jack stole third from Andy Cooney and Joyce Moon and unfortunately relegating Pete Joseph and Grace Constant from third to sixth, with everyone coming in for food talking about the near 90 degree shift.

Race five - With the first two places decided third place was still up for grabs with Steve Fischer, Jack Turnbull and Andy Cooney having an outside chance of grabbing third. After working out what was needed to be done over a lovely warming lunch supplied by the club, the final race got underway. Something unusual greeted participants which was a semi-steady breeze. Yvonne and Brian finished off as they had begun with a convincing win. Jack and Hannah managed to pull out of a congested pack and grab second on the last beat, Brian and Paul had a switch round and held on to third Steve and Pauline Fischer finishing fourth.

A great event was had by all and many thanks to Barry Mellor for organising it all along with able help from other club members and all the galley staff.

Results

Pos	Helm and Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Pts
First	Yvonne and Brian Mumford 4047	Redoubt	1	1	2	1	1	3
Third	Jack Turnbull and Abbey/Hannah Mumford 3254	Redoubt	3	3	6	3	2	8
Eighth	John Green and Paul Abbott 3290	BSC	5	7	9	8	9	20
10th	Barry and Joe Mellor 3838	BSC	8	DNS	10	9	8	25
Second	Brian Jones and Paul Cook 4021	Maidenhead	4	2	1	2	3	5
Fourth	Steve & Richard/ Pauline Fischer 124	Aldenham	2	4	5	7	4	10
Fifth	Claire Medcalf and John Finnemore 2132	BSC	7	5	3	6	6	14
Ninth	Dave Reed and wife 4052		6	6	8	10	DNS	20
Seventh	Pete Joseph and Grace Constant 3403	BSC	DNS	DNS	7	5	5	17
Sixth	Andy Cooney and Joyce Moon 3633	BSC	DNS	DNS	4	4	7	15