Laser 3000 Phoenix Marine TT Series

by Tony Hunt on 7 Jul 2006 Event 3 in the Phoenix Marine TT Series, held at Burghfield SC on 2 July, saw newcomers Matt and Will Archer (Carsington) notch up their second event win of the season, and they are now pressing Graham and Ben Blake (Queen Mary) for the overall lead in the series.

The two title protagonists slugged it out in the first race, with the Archers beating the Blakes into a close second place, and with club sailor A Goode in third. The second race was snatched on the final beat by Jeff Vander Borght and Kim in their V3000, who demonstrated strong light wind tactics to demote the Blakes to second place, followed by John Bashford in third.

In the third race Aaron Leigh (age 4) succumbed to the heat and deserted father Rob, who, sporting his freshly fitted North Sails, made a flying port tack start to lead by 50m at the first mark, only to become ensnared in weed and be overtaken by the Archers who went on to win convincingly.

The tactical awareness that Thames A-Rater sailors Sally Reed and Sue Williams had shown in the preceding day’s coaching session didn’t carry over into race day on this occasion, but suggested serious potential for the future.

Thanks to the organisers at Burghfield SC, who welcomed us to join the revelry of their 50th Anniversary celebrations, and to Rob Burridge for his coaching on the Saturday.

The next 3k TT event takes place over the first weekend of Bassenthwaite Week in August.

Final positions:
1st 3319 Matt & Will Archer (Carsington) 2 pts,
2nd 3085 Graham & Ben Blake (Queen Mary) 4 pts,
3rd 3600 Jeff Vander Borght & Kim (Lyme Regis) 5 pts,
4th 3302 Rob & Aaron Leigh (Leigh & Lowton) 6 pts,
5th John Bashford (Datchet) 9 pts,
6th 3279 Sally Reed & Sue Williams (Thames SC)