Comet Trio and Versa open meeting at Whitefriars Sailing Club

The fleet of ten Comet Trios and Two Versas were greeted with a friendly welcome by the Whitefriars team with winds of 10-15 mph. All boats were sailing with the classic sails.

Saturday 16th June

Race 1 started with Darren/Callum Padro leading to the first mark and remained in lead to the end of the race. They were closely followed by Adrian/Tracie Padro and Nick Smith/Dave Dixon. It was a very interesting race for all, with ever changing positions for second, third, fourth and fifth places. Chris Padro decided to practice capsizing with his daughter-in-law, Sharon, which she expertly handled! At the final leg of the race it was Darren/Callum Padro with first place, Adrian/Tracie Padro second, Nick Smith/Dave Dyson third, Will/Colin Burgess fourth and Steve Ashford/Martin Yeomans in fifth place.

Alistair Baird took first place in his versa closely followed by Hazel Parks/ Suzanne Hopes.

The second race – back to back – remained with the same course. A similar race to race 1 with a tight finish for first, second and third place. Darren/Callum Padro just pipped Steve/Helen Whittle on the finish line to take first place, with Steve/Helen in second place, Adrian/Tracie Padro in third place. Closely followed by Steve Ashford/ Martin Yeomans in fourth place and Nick Smith/Dave Dyson in fifth place.

Again Alistair Baird took first place in his Versa closely followed by Hazel Parks/Suzanne Hopes.

The fleets came ashore looking forward to the evening's entertainment with a quiz and BBQ.

Overnight Darren/Callum Padro were looking like they were romping away with the event with two firsts and only needing one more first place so secure an overall win.

But Tracie Padro, knowing that the one of the other Trios needed to get two first-places decided to take matters in hand. So stepping up to the mark decided to give Adrian Padro some much needed refresher training in the form of an early father's day gift – a new book titled Helming to Win, some late night reading took place! This proved to be beneficial in part.

Sunday 17th June

Racing started with similar windy conditions. Race 3 started with extremely close racing throughout the fleet with plenty of opportunities to overtake particularly at Mark 8 which nests under the trees. Once again Darren/Callem Padro were in the lead until halfway through the race when Adrian/Tracie Padro took the lead following a port/starboard incident. They held the lead until the finish. Steve/Helen Whittle kept the pressure on Darren/Callem Padro and ensured that Darren/Callum Padro did not get second place easily. Steve/Helen Whittle were 3rd with Steve Ashford/ Martin Yeomans in fourth place and Will/Colin Burgess in fifth place.

Alistair Baird was the only Versa to sail.

Race 4 was held back to back. Adrian/Tracie Padro took an early lead taking advantage of an early lift which extended their lead to take first place. They were closely followed by Steve/Helen Whittle with their iconic ghostly spinnaker looming closely over them for the remainder of the race finishing with a close second place. The battle continued for third and fourth places with Steve Ashford/Martin Yeomans in third place for the majority of the race until they were pipped by Darren/Callum Padro taking third place. This meant a fourth place for Steve Ashford/Martin Yeomans and 5th place for Will/Colin Burgess.

Race 5 started after a lovely ploughman's lunch. The wind conditions also increased providing more windy and gusty conditions. The final race meant Darren/Callum Padro and Adrian/Tracie Padro were on equal points and it was all down to this last race.

Darren/Callum Padro lead at the first mark closely followed by Adrian/Tracie Padro and Steve/Helen Whittle. A couple of marks later with the three boats in hot pursuit, Darren/Callum Padro went round the mark, for some reason Adrian/Tracie decided to do some confusing navigation which meant they went round the mark the wrong way, despite Steve/Helen Whittle trying to tell them the correct way.

Eventually Adrian/Tracie Padro realised the error of their ways and went around the mark correctly, enabling Darren/Callum Padro and Steve/Helen Whittle to go full steam ahead of the fleet. (Clearly Ade had not read the navigation chapter in his new book!) Darren/Callum Padro first, Steve/Helen Whittle were a very close second, Steve Ashford/Martin Yeomans third with a hard-fought battle for fourth place – Simon Doliczny/G Corr and fifth place John Andrews/Hannah.

Throughout the race there were some difficult and gusty conditions which tested the abilities of all the sailors.

Comet Trio results:

1st - Darren / Callum Padro
2nd – Tracie / Adrian Padro
3rd – Steve / Helen Whittle
4th – Steve Ashford / Martin Yeomans
5th – Will / Colin Burgess
6th – Simon Doliczny / G Corr
7th – John Andrews / Hannah
8th – Dave Jackson / Derek Butterworth
9th - Chris / Sharon Padro
10th – Nick Smith / Dave Dyson

Versa results:

1st – Alistair Baird
2nd – Hazel Parks / Suzanne Hopes

A very enjoyable two days of racing with close battles throughout all the fleets. Darren Padro thanked everyone at Whitefriars for hosting the event and looking after everyone so well.

Next Stop: The Comet Nationals, Exmouth 20th, 21st, 22nd July 2018. Look forward to seeing you there

A final note: everyone who entered this Open Meeting (and the upcoming Nationals) will be entered into a prize draw for a new North Sail Jib kindly donated by Glyn at Peak Dinghies.