Blithfield Barrel Round 1
by Chris Martin 8 Nov 2015 23:10 PST
8 November 2015
Blithfield Barrel Round 1 © Don Stokes
A fresh to frightening forecast saw an unusually low turnout for the first round of the Barrel series. With the relatively disappointing breeze after a promising forecast for the Merlin open a fortnight before, a repeat looked to be on the cards as we arrived in drizzle and a light easterly breeze. Not what was promised at all!
This time however the smoke from the power station cooling towers was flat and heading in the forecast direction so it was just a matter of time before things came to fruition. 37 competitors headed for the fist race which got underway in a force two-three. PRO Alan Skitt set a fairly square line, though with the forecast for the breeze to swing south the right hand side was likely to attract most interest. In actual fact this swing did not happen at all, and playing the not insignificant shifts up the middle was rapidly revealed to be the way to the chocolates. In the fast fleet a fantastic six way battle between Merlin Rockets occupied the front of the fleet for almost the whole race, places changing regularly. Matt Biggs and John Hackett emerged to take the bullet from Andy Davis and Richard Adams. First slow boat was Mike Senior and Chris White in a GP14 in sixth place.
Lunch ensued. The white horses which had started to appear towards the end of race 1 were now well and truly in abundance as the gusts started to reach 40mph on the clock. The second race was looking like a war of attrition, if indeed it happened at all.
A minor lull enabled the fleet to get afloat, however this was always likely to a temporary dip in strength. This rapidly turned out to be the case, and a well placed gybe mark made for great entertainment for those who came watch or sat out the race. Andy Davis and Rich Adams took the win this time with Matt and John settling for second. The slow fleet did better this time, with Mike Senior and Chris White in third and Jim Hunt in his OK fourth.
Thanks to everyone who helped to run the event, the next instalment of the Barrel series is set for the 6th December - see you there. Subsequent Barrel weekends are 10th January and 14th February.
Further details and directions are on the club website, www.blithfield.org.uk