Rooster 2000 Class Inland Championship at Weir Wood Sailing Club
by Mark Foley 3 Oct 2022 23:43 PDT
1-2 October 2022
2000 Class Inland Championship 2022 © Weir Wood Sailing Club
27 boats gathered at Weir Wood Sailing Club for the 2000 Inland Championship 2022. The forecast had been very uncertain all week but Saturday brought near perfect conditions with a F3-4 blowing straight down the reservoir; this was typically 'inland' with lulls, gusts and plenty of shifts, requiring crews to decide whether to prioritise staying in pressure or going with shifts.
The first race took a few attempts to start successfully with the black flag leading to three likely contenders having to sit the race out. Race two and three were sailed in similar conditions but with the black flag keeping order at each start. A fourth race was held in light of the forecast for Sunday in slightly less breeze than the first three.
During each race there was close competition throughout the fleet. Places were constantly changing on beats, runs and at often crowded mark roundings. Racing was super close throughout the fleet, and in race 2 there were 5 different leaders during the race. Locals Rob and Sarah Burridge got off to a solid start with a race win in race 1, and backed this up with a 2nd, 1st and 4th.
Pete Vincent and Sophie Bentley had to sit out race 1 due to the black flag, but their day just got better as they posted a 3,2,1 score in the next three races, to sit 2nd overall overnight. In the fourth race, Pete Vincent got a great start off a slightly port biased line and disappeared off into the horizon, extending his lead throughout the race.
They were followed by another team who had to sit out race 1, but Simon and Katie Horsfield also scored 1,3,2 to be level with Pete. Home club sailors Jon and Amy Ching had a consistent day scoring 4,5,4,3 to lie 4th overnight.
Sunday's weather was less kind to the race officer and even though the rain cleared by 11.30 the wind refused to fill in and settle so sailing was abandoned without any more races started. This meant:
Rob and Sarah Burridge were confirmed as 2022 Inland Champions.
Jon and Amy Ching won the Family Junior prize by finishing 4th overall, and also won the consistency prize, thus walking away with a bundle of prizes.
Other teams to post top 3 results were Sam and Banjamin Pascoe from Castle Cove, and Amy Hulley/Sophie Payne from Weir Wood.
It was great to see a range of ages, experience and ability throughout the fleet all joining in the fun. Weir Wood SC were exemplary hosts with plenty of catering and entertainment on shore as well.
The event was made even more successful due to the support of Class sponsors and supporters:
- Rooster provided some prizes and these were enhanced by
- Noble Marine,
- Fernhurst Books, and
- West Country Boat Repairs.
With prizes for the top 5, Family team, most consistent, mid fleet, endeavour and home boat, there were plenty of happy sailors after the weekend.
Another successful weekend for the class that promotes and drives its 'Fast, Family, Fun' tagline.