Comet Trio Open at Shustoke Sailing Club
by Tracie Padro 25 Mar 2019 06:52 PDT
23 March 2019
A gentle breeze, bacon sandwiches and friendly faces greeted the Comet Trio fleet at Shustoke Sailing Club were they were sharing their open meeting with the GP14 fleet.
It was clear that the race officers had a difficult job on their hands setting a course for the light and fluky wind conditions. This proved to be the case on one leg where some boats were beating and others were reaching with their spinnakers flying. We knew it was going to be one of those days where first place was never going to be secure, regardless of what lead you might of had, until you crossed the finish line and heard the gun!
This proved to be the case with Darren/Callum Padro in their maiden voyage, in their brand new Comet Trio (504), who were in the lead in two out of the three races. Only to be undone with the chasing pack benefiting from pockets of wind appearing out of nowhere. Coupled with Adrian/Tracie Padro just in the right place and the right time to take the lead. This turned the air coming out of Darren's new boat, the same colour as his boat! (Blue!)
On a "lighter" note these winds also suited the Classic rigs and especially Tony Fulford, sailing single-handed and always staying within close quarters of the new rig Trios, taking a second place in race 2.
Adrian and Tracie with two wins and overall victory, the race for second was still all to play for between Darren/Callum and Tony in race 3.
During the first half of the race the racing was very tight with Steve Ashford/Martin Yeomans also in the mix to cause an upset. However Darren/Callum pulled ahead towards the end of the race enabling them to take second place overall.
There was plenty of action in the middle of fleet with close racing and lots of overtaking opportunities between Christopher/Clara Padro (grandfather/granddaughter), Mark/Chloe Broad in a borrowed boat and Steve/Martin.
Focus now turns to the next competition, the Inland Championships at Llangorse Sailing Club which is going to be a great event. With another Comet Trio currently in build for Adrian/Tracie (505), the question is, "Having only just placed the order (Tracie couldn't decide on a colour!) is it going to be ready in time?"
Overall Results:
1st - Adrian and Tracie Padro
2nd - Darren and Callum Padro
3rd - Tony Fulford (1st Classic Rig)
4th - Steve Ashford and Martin Yeomans
5th - Christopher and Clara Padro
6th - Mark and Chloe Broad