Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club Revett Series - Overall
by Richard Catchpole 10 Dec 2019 06:37 PST
8 December 2019
This year 51 boats took part in the Leigh & Lowton Revett Series - five Sundays from early November to early December. This was despite a very challenging series with no weather with the "normal" range of wind conditions throughout the series.
Racing on two weekends was abandoned due to zero wind, two weekends were held in very light conditions before the final day arrived to deliver up to 35 knot gusts to blow the cobwebs away after the Xmas party the night before.
Many of the fleets were extremely closely fought with all fleets finalising the series results only on the last day.
We now roll into the very popular New Years Day Pursuit on 1st January and the Tipsy Icicle Series (11 weeks from Sunday 5th January), enter for these events through the link below or pay on the day: webcollect.org.uk/llsc/event/winter-2019-2020
In the Laser fleet, Oliver Blackburn (LLSC) started the series on top and held on to finish top of the leaderboard at the close. He was chased hard on the final day by Stuart Belfield (LLSC) and Howard Green (LLSC) who were eventually split on count-back. Steve Roberts (LLSC) competed well throughout the series to finish fourth.
Steve Blackburn (LLSC) in his Streaker was unable to overturn the lead of Martin Knott (Ribble SC) in the Handicap on the last weekend, despite finishing level on points, missing out on count-back; so Andy's Phantom took first place. Neither Tim Coleman/Paul Pritchard (LLSC) nor Mark Cuthbert (LLSC) could find a way to finish the last race in the increasingly blustery conditions, meaning that Tim/Paul took third place overall.
The Asymmetrics entertained the gallery on the final day, flying downwind with some spectacular results!! Richard Catchpole/Gary Coop (LLSC) overcame a solid performance from accomplished duo Dave Exley/Nigel Hall. The RS400s were frequently out of control and upside down, and the Devoted Devoti of Martin Spencer (LLSC) did exceptionally well to complete both races. In third place overall were Mark Dingsdale/Ness Evans (LLSC), pipping Stuart Halman/Anna Walsh (LLSC) on count-back due to a race win earlier in the series.
The Solo fleet was dominated by Nick James (LLSC). Malcolm Waddington (LLSC) put up a good fight early in the series but the forecast was too strong for him to battle it out the final day. As it was, neither Nick or Dave Kelsall (LLSC) were able to bear away at the last windward mark, such was the strength of the wind!! Dave picked up third place overall, a great result with which to start his stint as Commodore!
A sterling performance on the final day by Ben Welfare (LLSC) in his Oppie earned him the Junior Title, ending level on points with Morgan Busby (LLSC), winning on the last race count-back. Elise Busby (LLSC) picked up third place and a plucky young John Bridgeman (LLSC) couldn't survive the last race despite his best efforts in his Tera.
A great end to the series, even if the earlier part was let down by the adverse weather. Full results at llsc.org.uk/LLSC/Results/2019/Revett.htm
More photos of the final day available at:
paulhargreavesphotography.zenfolio.com/p246011810#hdf48fb34
www.flickr.com/photos/ebonezer/albums/72157712131950731