Single-handed Open at Maldon Yacht Club

The weekend of 14th & 15th July 2007 saw the first ever single-handed open meeting held at Maldon Yacht Club. A total of fifteen boats from three different clubs took part and was made up of two Blazes, three Musto Skiffs, a Laser Vortex, a Laser EPS, a Contender, six standard Lasers and a Laser Radial.

Day One

Race one started in 15 knots of breeze, gusting to 20 and all of the fleet got off to a clean start, with the Musto Skiffs leading the way to the windward mark. On the second leg some very large gusts came through the fleet resulting in a number of capsizes, the most notably being the Vortex tipping over onto a Laser and catching him in the kite. Two laps of the Club course resulted in a win for G Davies in his Musto Skiff.

Race two took place over the same course and again everyone got off to a clean start, however at the windward mark the tide bunched a number of boats up resulting in a couple of capsizes whilst people were calling for water to round the mark. Once more the Musto Skiffs led the way around the course and resulted in a win for D Dixon.

Day Two

Race three was started in 10 knots of breeze gusting to 15 knots and the decision was made to race one lap of a longer course. Once again a good start was had by all, most notably G Davies in his Musto Skiff. The long beat up the river enabled the fleet to secure their positions with good use of the shore line to keep them out of the tide. A good reach back down the river made for some exciting sailing and the race was eventually won by G Davies.

Race four was three laps of a shorter course and the fleet again had to make good use of the shore line to enhance their positions to the windward mark. However, on lap three the tide had turned and some quick thinking by a number of sailors made good use of this to come through the fleet. Race four was eventually won by G Davies with the rest of the fleet in hot pursuit.

Overall the event was a great success for everyone involved and will be the start of an annual event hosted by Maldon Yacht Club.

Many thanks to the Committee at Maldon for their hospitality.

Overall Results:

1st G Davies, Musto Skiff (Blackwater)
2nd A Williams, Blaze (Maldon YC)
3rd J Simpson, Musto Skiff (Stone)
4th G Mills, Laser EPS (Blackwater)
5th B Fullalove, Blaze (Maldon YC)