Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Winsford Flash Sailing Club

by Pete Coop 10 Oct 2023 01:23 PDT 3 October 2023

Winsford Flash Sailing Club hosted the final round of the 2023 Borders Counties Series. 24 boats (27 sailors) entered with a healthy mix of dinghies including - Comet, Streaker, Miracle, Solo, Supernova, RS100, Laser, Topper and British Moth.

The racing format was three handicap races. Winds were variable ranging from 5 to 12 knots from a shifting westerly direction.

Race officer Jon close got the fleet cleanly from the first start at the southern end of the flash. Pete Coop in his Supernova got out in front with a good lead but on the final beat fell into a hole which allowed the chasing pack to close right up.

Following a short lunch break Race 2 got away cleanly. Lots of place changing and challenging wind shifts resulted in a very tight finish.

With different boats pushing into the podium positions, it was all to play for in the last race. Pete Coop led the pack from start to finish, but well sailed slower boats were always in contention on handicap.

Miracles take first and second doublehander in the Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Winsford Flash - photo © Brian Herring

In the end two Comets pushed into the top three with yet another different boat and helm taking the race on handicap - the Comet of Dave Turtle.

The first Double handed boat was the Miracle of Dave Southwell and Michelle Raines finishing in 10th place Nayth Twiggs was first junior in his Topper.

The wide variety of different podium winners and classes throughout the day is a key feature of the attraction of the Bordersand so no-one knows who has finished where until the handicaps are finalised and this ensures everyone is trying wherever they are on the course.

Dave Turtle as the leading visitor thanked Winsford for putting on a great day's racing. This event brings to an end to the Borders series for 2023.

Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Winsford Flash - photo © John Nield

Final Scores for the overall 2023 series:

1st Pete Coop - Supernova 22pts
2nd Ted Garner - Solo 44pts
3rd Andy Todd - RS100 50.5pts

1st Double hander - Dave Thomas and Shan Stapley - Enterprise/Miracle

1st Junior Nayth Twiggs - Topper

Winsford Flash event results: (Top three boats separated by just 1 point!)

Pos	Class	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1st	SUPERNOVA	1281	Pete Coop		Winsford Flash	‑3	2	2	4
2nd	COMET	815	Dave Turtle		Shustoke	‑6.5	3.5	1	4.5
3rd	SOLO	5016	Ted Garner		Budworth	‑9	1	4	5
4th	SUPERNOVA	1296	Eric Haselden		Winsford Flash	2	3.5	‑9	5.5
5th	STREAKER	1621	Paul Newman		Shotwick	1	‑7	6	7
6th	LASER/ ILCA 7	189181	Mark Nield		Shotwick	4	5.5	‑11	9.5
7th	SUPERNOVA	1320	Phil Watson		Winsford Flash	‑6.5	5.5	5	10.5
8th	COMET	311	Steve Bellamy		Winsford Flash	‑16	10	3	13
9th	RS 100 8.4	360	Andy Todd		Bala	5	8	‑13	13
10th	MIRACLE	3740	Dave southwell	Michelle Raines	Leigh & Lowton	10	‑13	8	18
11th	SUPERNOVA	1253	Ian Clarke		Winsford Flash	14	‑20	7	21
12th	SOLO	5963	Phil Snewin		Chester	12	‑14	10	22
13th	MIRACLE	3520	Simon Dolman	Julie Dolman	Shotwick Lake	11	12	‑16	23
14th	LASER RADIAL	198833	Ros Benson		Winsford Flash	13	‑18	12	25
15th	MIRACLE	4103	Dave Thomas	Shan Stapley	Shotwick	‑22	11	15	26
16th	SOLO	5536	Richard Wynn		Budworth	15	‑19	14	29
17th	TOPPER	49191	Nayth Twiggs		Winsford Flash	21	9	‑22	30
18th	COMET	705	Martin Loud		Winsford Flash	‑18	15	17	32
19th	COMET	437	Pete Chambers		Winsford Flash	8	(RET)	DNS	34
20th	BRITISH MOTH	815	Bill Webber		Shropshire S C	‑23	16	18	34
21st	COMET	745	Fiona Niddrie		Winsford Flash	‑24	17	19	36
22nd	SUPERNOVA	406	James Stark		Winsford Flash	17	‑21	20	37
23rd	STREAKER	2165	Alexander Mill		Winsford Flash	19	22	‑23	41
24th	SUPERNOVA	1241	Frank Lafferty		Winsford Flash	20	(RET)	21	41
25th	COMET	690	Carl Ellis		Winsford Flash	‑25	23	24	47

Pete Coop wins event and series overall at the Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Winsford Flash - photo © John Nield