Discounted entry for Datchet Flyer closes soon - Seldén SailJuice Winter Series

by Andy Rice 4 Dec 2021 12:47 PST 11-12 December 2021

The Datchet Flyer - Seldén SailJuice Winter Series opener © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Event #2 of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series takes place next weekend, the Datchet Flyer. Enter by Tuesday before the early-bird discount closes!

Winners of the opening event of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series, the 505 team of Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane, are among the 60-plus entries already signed up to next weekend's Datchet Flyer, taking place on 11 & 12 December. Others to watch include Pete Barton in the RS Aero, Nick Craig and Toby Lewis in a GP14, along with an armada of 420 entries that could prove tough to beat if the breeze kicks in.

If you want to enter the event at the best price, discounted online entry closes this Tuesday. Sign up at www.sailjuiceseries.com

Meanwhile here's some of the detail from the recent Event #1 of the Series, the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash won by Gilbert and McGrane. In addition to the overall results there are a number of specialist rankings, reflecting the fantastic diversity of the UK dinghy racing scene.

Steve & Sarah Cockerill during the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series Datchet Flyer - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Craftinsure Family Rankings

Sailing is one of the few lifelong sports where all ages can compete and importantly all the family can participate together. It was great to see several family teams competing at Draycote, either in the same boat or across different classes. The winner of the Craftinsure Family Rankings will get the great prize of insurance for their boat. The Birds' Enterprise tops the rankings sailed by Nigel and Andy. In second, John Knight in a Supernova with Sam in an RS400. Completing the podium, father and daughter Hugh and Ellen Devereux in a GP14.

Trident Top Club

With the winners taking away a big Trident voucher to spend on their club, the Trident Top Club rankings are highly contested. Based on the best three results for each club across every race. Hosts Draycote Water SC fielded a strong team and top the rankings, closely followed by Emberton Park SC and Staunton Harold SC.

RestartSailing Top Class

Based on the best three results for each class across every race. The 505s had a large entry at Draycote with two boats in the top 10, including winners Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane, so no surprise to see the 505 class leading the RestartSailing Top Class rankings after round 1, with the RS200s and Rs Aero 7s completing the podium, two classes that have regularly been near the top of these rankings over the years.

Peter Barton wins the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series Datchet Flyer 2019 in his RS Aero 7 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Top Lady

Series regular and often seen heading the Top Lady rankings, Ellie Craig sailing an RS Aero 7 takes the top spot after Round 1, with young Clem Middle in a Topper a very credible second, and last winter's winner Val Millward (Challenger), third.

SpeedSix Challenge

Sunday saw some great breezes for the long-distance Draycote Dash pursuit race, and many boats recording sustained speeds in double figures on the SailRacer GPS trackers. Winners Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane in their 505 posted the fastest speed with a sustained 12.32 kts. On adjusted speeds, Graham Hall (Challenger) was top, and despite racing one of the slowest boats still achieved an unadjusted sustained 10.08 kts. Followed closely by the RS Aeros of Pere Barton and Selden's Steve Norbury.

Val Millward during the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series Datchet Flyer - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Youth and Juniors

Great to see a strong youth fleet out at Draycote, local Joe Rowe representing the Draycote Academy in his Topper was No.1 youth and also top junior. Impressively Joe was third in the pursuit race leading till the dying minutes and after racing hard for two hours.

19-30

The RS200 of James Williams and Sarah Tuppen, Chew Valley Sailing Club, had a great first day at Draycote, and provisional overnight leaders, and head the 19-30 age rankings.

31-60

Last winter's runner up Luke Fisher (RS Vareo - Emberton Park SC), had a great start to his campaign with a third overall and on extracted results heading the large 31-60 age rankings.

Masters

Nigel and Andy Bird (Enterprise) were 5th overall and Top Masters in this competitive age group.

Fast Symmetric

With a big 505 fleet it was no surprise the class dominated this category, with Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane (505 - Netley SC) winning, Steve Irish and Norman Byrd (505 - Draycote Water SC), Tom Jeffcoate and Tim Hartley (505 - Draycote Water SC) completing the podium.

Fast Asymmetric

The RS400s were out in force at Draycote and took the top three places, with Sam Knight and Chris Bownes (RS400 - Bartley SC).

The Datchet Flyer - Seldén SailJuice Winter Series opener - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Slow Symmetric

The symmetric and non-spinnaker type boats made up the largest entry, with Pete Barton (RS Aero 7 - Lymington Town SC) heading this group, from Nigel and Andy Brid (Enterprise) and Hugh and Ellie Devereux (GP14 - Budworth SC) third.

Slow Asymmetric

Luke Fisher (RS Vareo - Emberton Park SC) topped this GBSC category, from James Williams and Sarah Tuppen (RS200 - Chew Valley Sailing Club) and classmates Nigel and Dianna Pepperdine (RS200 - Staunton Harold SC) completing the podium.