Wild westerly on its way for the Datchet Flyer
by Andy Rice 7 Dec 2018 07:06 PST
8-9 December 2018
Selden SailJuice Winter Series Datchet Flyer on 8-9 December © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
The trapeze boat sailors are licking their lips at the prospect of a strong westerly wind for this weekend's Datchet Flyer, round two of the Selden SailJuice Winter Series. After a few years of quieter, gentler contests at the west London reservoir, the 2018 edition looks set for a tougher test.
Big breeze experts like Stuart Jones and the other Contender sailors could come to the fore this weekend, along with other trapeze singlehanders such as reigning national champion Richard Smith and his fellow RS600 competitors. It's a forecast that's also likely to appeal to the 420s and Fireballs. For Series photographer Tim Olin it could be a barnstorming event for capturing spectacular images of the competitors moving at warp speed.
Entry is available on the day, although it's cheaper if you enter before the end of today at www.sailjuiceseries.com
This event is also the second in the brand new Great British Sailing Challenge. And as ever, there are competitions within the competition and here's the update after round one at Draycote...
selden.sailracer.org/eventsites/content.asp?id=46961&eventid=211504&templ=
Sailing Chandlery Top Class rankings
The RS Aero 7 class put up a strong showing at Selden SailJuice Winter Series #1 to head the Sailing Chandlery Top Class leaderboard, but they are hotly pursued by defending champions the Solo Class and the Blaze Class completing the podium.
Trident Top Club
Staunton Harold Sailing Club members were out in force at Draycote, topping the Trident Top Club rankings. Previous winners Burghfield SC were not far behind in second, with Netley completing the podium.
Youth Rankings
It was great to see new names and very young sailors competing at Draycote. Jamie Mason (Radial) from Blithfield was top youth taking three wins on extracted results. Series regular, Abigail Larr (Laser 4.7), Northampton took the other two races and second overall, with Lydia Barber (Radial), Blithfield not far behind in third.
GUL Top Ladies
Previous winners Eleanor Craig (Radial), Draycote, and Ann Jackson (Enterprise), Burghfield, enjoyed some very close racing to find the top lady. In the end Ann came out on top on extracted results, with Eleanor second and Emma Pearson (Cherub), Stokes Bay third, despite sitting out the non-discardable pursuit race.
SpeedSix Challenge
Kyle Stoneham (International Moth) topped the SpeedSix Speed Wall, seeing a sustained 14.7 knots, nearly 50% faster than the wind, with the Cherub of Emma Pearson and Nick Pearson second, and regular Speedsters the Singletons (RS800) in third. On an adjusted basis the Cherub moved to top spot, with the Challenger of Val Millward second, and RS600 champ Richard Smith completing the podium.