Shearwater TT at Minnis Bay Sailing Club

Shaun Allen & Holly Parker finish 2nd in the Shearwater TT at Minnis Bay © Heather Wilcox

Alan Howland & Rob Britton finish 3rd in the Shearwater TT at Minnis Bay © Heather Wilcox

Minnis Bay Sailing Club were the fantastic hosts to the Shearwaters second outing of the 2015 season at a joint event with F18s.

Twelve Shearwaters launched with two boats making their first appearance this season. DILLIGAF helmed by Murray Greenhill and crewed by Zac Elliot and CROWNS helmed by Nigel Stuart and crewed by Sarah Stuart.

Saturday saw a blustery start that gave the fleet a chance to lift a hull and twin wire. As the day progressed the wind dropped allowing the lighter wind preferring boats of the fleet a chance to use their tactical prowess around the course. The first day boasted good tactical racing from all members of the fleet.

Special mention has to go to Shear Flambouyance helmed by Catherine Tulley and crewed by Chloe Stuart. Not new to the fleet but a new pairing for 2015. Catherine and Chloe certainly made their presence known on the last race of the day leaving the fleet effortlessly behind crossing the finishing line by a good leg. If this performance is anything to go by the fleet need to watch out for this Shear Flambouyant style of racing this season!

Sunday brought the fleet lighter conditions than preferred paired with strong tides. Fuzzy heads were cleared and racing heads applied to deal with the challenges. Conditions kept the fleet on their toes hampering a clean start for the first race with the committee boat having to call the fleet back for a general restart. After a fresh start the fleet knuckled under and with a well laid course put the reaching skills of the fleet into play for all three races.

So after a hard fought battle against the elements the final results were cast. In 3rd place Alan Howland and Rob Britton on Alley Cat, in 2nd place Shaun Allen and Holly Parker on Carbon Footprint and in 1st place Nigel Stuart and Sarah Stuart on CROWNS.

The Shearwater TT series is sponsored by Sharp's Brewery, who kindly donated kegs of sailor's favourite real ale Doombar for the winners.

Thank you again to Minnis Bay Sailing Club for hosting another well run event in the Shearwater TT sailing calandar.

Overall Results: