Corinthian Otters Open Meeting's tough competition

by Matt Barr on 13 Jun 2011 The Corinthian Otters Open Meeting took place on Saturday with a beautiful day and a brisk wind, the scene was set for what was hoped to be an excellent day’s sailing at the Otters 2011 Open.

Things did not go quite as hopes expected due to other sailing commitments, the leading numbers were not as high as what was hoped for however, those who did come experienced some tough competition.

The fleet launched soon after 10am and sailed downriver to just beyond the moorings where race officer Kay Tavinor had laid a triangle sausage course across the river. In what was to be the theme throughout the day, Race one saw the fleet away cleanly. The end of the first triangle saw local boys Sam and Ben Barr sailing 9027 Whatever leading.

However, a lapse in concentration at the leeward mark resulted in a 360 from which they did not recover. Matthew and Ben Shorrock from Frensham Pond in 8352 Master Mariner, having borrowed some sailing gear due to a mishap with a car, some keys and a young Shorrock, powered through to take the win from Waldringfield pairing Maddie Harris and Ellie Wooton in 8514 Mostly Harmless in second and the Barrs in third.

The wind had been building all morning and it proved too much for two of the least experienced crews who called it a day after the first race. Race two saw fortune favouring the brave resulting in some fantastic three-sail reaching on the wing leg. Once again the in-form Shorrocks took the gun from Otters Nick Sutton and Robert Main in 8844 Nasty Tern and Emma and Joshua White from Waldringfield in 9876 Zest in third. The fleet then returned to shore for a well earned break and a bowl of pasta.

During the Lunch break the wind steadily increased to well over 20 kts, with some sustained gusts of over 30 kts. The decision was taken to sail up river in the afternoon where the town would offer a little more shelter. Even so only six boats returned to the fray and it was business as usual with the Shorrocks, in spite of a couple of scares, winning both races and the event. It was nip and tuck for the minor places but Nick and Robert just managed to do enough to take second with Emma and Joshua in third.

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