Noble Marine 2000 Southern Travellers Round 5 at Bewl Sailing Association

Noble Marine 2000 Southern Travellers Round 5 at Bewl © Amanda Conrad

Noble Marine 2000 Southern Travellers Round 5 at Bewl © Amanda Conrad

Noble Marine 2000 Southern Travellers Round 5 at Bewl © Amanda Conrad

With forecast winds of 3 mph, it's hardly surprising that some 2000 sailors opted to stay at home and watch England play in the Football World Cup on Saturday 7th July! However, BSA was delighted that four visiting boats had travelled from Bough Beech, Silver Wing and Wilsonian to attend the first 2000 open meeting on their great expanse of water.

On a sunny day with an air temperature of 30 degrees and a water temperature of 23 degrees, the variable light puffs of wind made it impossible for Race Officer Jo Mayes to set a course during the morning. She decided to review the situation at 13:00, and an early lunch was duly delivered from the Waterfront café at Bewl Water. Thankfully the wind eventually settled at south-westerly force 1 to 2, and a windward leeward course could be laid.

The first race was under way by 13:25. Richard and Ian Hudson had a good start and pulled well ahead of the rest of the fleet – maintaining their comfortable lead to the end of this two lap race. Bewl returnees Graham Lawson and David Brewer came second, holding off Iain and Sarah Yardley in third place and Rachel Sheridan and Geoff Lambert in fourth.

There was a tidier start to the second race, with Richard and Ian again showing the way to the rest of the fleet. As the wind dropped and there were no changes of position, the duty team decided to end the race after a single lap. The finishing order was the same as for the first race.

Race 3 proved to be more exciting. Richard and Ian were in the lead at the end of the first lap, closely followed by Iain and Sarah. However, Graham and David took advantage of the flukey winds and managed to work their way up to first position, while Richard and Ian found themselves in a hole and dropped to third.

Through efficient race management, Jo managed to fit in a fourth start before the deadline of 16:00. This time Iain and Sarah got away first and held the lead for the first lap and most of the second. Unfortunately for them, Richard and crew managed to get inside at the final mark and were first across the line. Ian and Sarah had to settle for second place, with Graham and crew third.

Everyone appreciated a refreshing drink and cake at the Pop-Up Cafe after racing. Bewl Commodore, Mark Munday presented prizes to all the competitors as they had endured such hot and trying conditions.

Noble Marine 2000 Southern Travellers Round 5 at Bewl - photo © Amanda Conrad

Overall Results:

Noble Marine 2000 Southern Travellers Round 5 at Bewl - photo © Amanda Conrad