Lark Winter Championship at Northampton Sailing Club
by Harry Pynn 5 Nov 2019 02:53 PST
2-3 November 2019
The Larks joined forces with National 12s, Enterprises and Solutions for a spectacular festival of sailing over the bonfire weekend.
Storms had caused many sailing clubs around the country to cancel their racing for the weekend and indeed the inclement forecast prompted many of the Lark fleet to either postpone their journey to Northampton, or to stay firmly ashore. After a 2 hour postponement to let the storm blow through, those who did venture out were treated to a pleasant force 3 to 4 in mild conditions. Harry Pynn and Gemma Cook won both races from Simon Cox and Hannah Carruthers. Having left his watch in the van, Simon resorted to pre-start manoeuvres resembling the girandola that was to come later on at the firework party. Simon and Hannah then swapped over, with Hannah quickly adapting to helming the Lark from her usual Cadet.
The 4 Sunday races were held in much lighter conditions. Pynn and Cook won the first race from Steve Cumley and Eluned Stewart. In the second race Cumley and Stewart along with Neil and Sue Firth correctly judged a large windshift to perfection and finished in that order as the sausage course became two reaches.
The course for the final 2 races was reconfigured to be a square. In the third race the Firths rounded the windward mark with a healthy lead. Pynn and Cook caught up but penalty turns for infringing a National 12 meant that they had to hold off Cumley and Stewart downwind for second place as the Firths cruised to victory. In the final race Cumley and Stewart took their second win of the day ahead of Cox and Carruthers.
With most competitors counting a DNC, Pynn and Cook won the event ahead of Cox and Carruthers. Cumley and Stewart's strong Sunday performance was good enough for 3rd overall.
At the prize-giving the Firth's picked up their prize for the Lark Belle Isle travellers series following impressive results throughout the year.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 2520 | Harry Pynn | Gemma Cook | 8 |
| 2 | 2443 | Simon Cox | Hannah Carruthers | 13 |
| 3 | 2496 | Steve Cumley | Eluned Stewart | 14 |
| 4 | 2537 | Neil Firth | Sue Firth | 18 |
| 5 | 2531 | Dan Watson | Neil Carruthers | 25 |
| 6 | 2530 | Chris Ellis | Judith Young | 30 |