Severn Trent Sailing Regatta
by Zara Turtle 17 May 2018 01:10 PDT
16 May 2018
Eight boats of eight different classes turned up for the Severn Trent Sailing Regatta held at Shustoke Sailing Club on 16th May. Conditions were very different to last year's event where there was very little wind. A moderate NE breeze with strong gusts gave everyone plenty to think about and made for a challenging day!
Races 1 and 2 were held back to back in the morning (after everyone had stocked up on bacon butties for the extra weight needed in these conditions...). A long course was set, making use of the full length of the lake, everyone set off the line cleanly with Chris Biglin making it to the windward mark first, followed by Rob Dunkley and Tony Fulford. After a change of wind direction on the start line put pay to David and Zara Turtle's port end ambitions, they climbed back up the fleet to make it round the windward mark in 4th position. These positions were kept for most of the race, until Eleanor Craig used one of the many strong gusts to overtake David and Zara on the reach.
Race 2 saw Tony fly off the port end of the line to fight it out with Chris and Rob to see who could make it to the windward mark first. Chris and Rob had a tight race on the water throughout, but despite Chris taking a quick dip on one of the beats he managed to finish first on the water. Chris wasn't the only casualty that race; with Andy and Toby Ward in the Lark having to retire due to a broken rudder, and Mike and Helen Playle capsizing after the finish.
The gusts lessened in frequency, although not in strength, for the last race of the day where Eleanor led off the line. However it was Chris and Rob who led the fleet around the course again, with Eleanor and Tony having a close race ending in Eleanor in the lead on the water.
Overall it was Chris who took the win, followed by David and Zara in second, and Eleanor in third. Eleanor took home the under 25yrs prize, David the over 60yrs prize and the team prize went to team "Shustoke" – David and Zara, Tony, Andy and Chris.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Class | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Chris Biglin | | Phantom | Shustoke | 1 | (3) | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | David Turtle | Zara Turtle | Miracle | Shotwick/Shustoke | (2) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Eleanor Craig | | Laser Radial | Draycote Water | (3) | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 4 | Tony Fulford | | Comet Trio | Shustoke | 4 | (5) | 4 | 8 |
| 5 | Rob Dunkley | | Halo | Hollowell | (5) | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 6 | Mike Playle | Helen Playle | Laser 2000 | Hollowell | 6 | 6 | (DNF) | 12 |
| 7 | Stewart Elder | | GP14 | Hollowell | 8 | 7 | (DNF) | 15 |
| 8 | Andy Ward | Toby Ward | Lark | Shustoke | 7 | (DNF) | (DNF) | 16 |