Shotwick Lake Brass Monkey Open Handicap Series
by Dave Turtle 10 Mar 2019 13:11 PDT
Shotwick Lake Brass Monkey © Geoff Weir
The Brass Monkey series runs for five Sundays starting in February and the racing format is just a single race each day. Average lap times are used to ensure that everyone in the mixed handicap fleet enjoys a good sail.
Shotwick Lake is situated on the edge of the Dee estuary and is ideally located to get the best of any wind, whatever direction.
This year the series has been a great success with a total entry of 29 boats of which 7 were visitors from local clubs. There were 9 classes represented with the largest fleets being the Solos with eleven boats. It was great to see a number of junior sailors joining in.
All five races were completed and conditions were unseasonably mild for February with plenty of sunshine on most days. There was generally a good breeze with just one heavy weather weekend and one drift on the final Sunday.
Competition was fierce throughout the fleet and often made more interesting by the crowded start lines and short beats. However, Dave Turtle (Streaker) emerged a comfortable winner followed by the Solos of Gordon Bennell and Gaz Henshall.
Mike and Anne de St Paër from West Kirkby won the best visitor prize sailing a Heron and Kieran claimed first junior in a Laser Radial.
Overall Results:
| Position | Name(s) | Class | Club | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Dave Turtle | Streaker | Shotwick | 3 |
| 2 | Gordon Benell | Solo | Shotwick | 5 |
| 3 | Gaz Henshall | Solo | Shotwick | 7 |
| 4 | Jeremy Cooper | Lightning | Shotwick | 7 |
| 5 | Paul Newman | Streaker | Shotwick | 12 |
| 6 | Joe Sargent | Laser Radial | Shotwick | 14 |
| 7 | Mike/Anne de St Paër | Heron | West Kirkby | 16 |
| 8 | Kieran | Laser Radial | Shotwick | 16 |
| 9 | Dave Thomas | Solo | Shotwick | 18 |
| 10 | Mark Heaton | Lightning | Shotwick | 20 |
Thanks go to the various race officers, safety crew and assistants who braved the elements and helped make the event so successful.
The next Open events at Shotwick Lake are:
- Sat 16th March: Solo Open
- Sun 21st April: Spring Regatta (Open Handicap)
- Sat 27th April: Lightning and Streaker Open
Further details can be found on our website www.shotwicksailing.org