Silver Scorpion Series Round 1 at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

Scorpions at Chew Valley Lake © Chris Sandison

Following on from this theme last year I have once again managed to get the task of report writing. The 2024 Silver Scorpion kicked off at a chilly Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club.

Some had to battle through snow to get there, but the most foolhardy members of the Scorpion, Merlin Rocket and Flying 15 fleets launched for the midday start. This in itself turned into a drama for Pete Gray sailing with Amy Clay who was clearly struggling without his portable rigging guide (Rich) as they ended up having a rigging error induced swim on the run out to the start.

Race 1 kicked off in the freezing rain - I can't say that I remember too much about it as it was too cold. What I can remember was that Tom Jeffcoate sailing with Fresh in 2025 lead the race from start to finish. Janet Ritchie had relegated husband Alan to trolley dolly status and sailing with Richard in his boat 1919, they made a great comeback from a dodgy start to round well up at the windward mark. There was plenty of test driving going on with Caddy and Ellie borrowing 2061 from Wadey and Chris and myself borrowing 2026 (but disguised with 1969s sails) from Caddy. We very quickly decided that the Ninja was worth having as we managed to climb to 2nd. Pete and Amy managed to climb back up to 3rd after multiple re-rigs.

Scorpions at Chew Valley Lake - photo © Chris Sandison

The water turned red in Race 2 from Malcolm James and Josh Oates's nose bleed who got into the lead up the first beat by nailing the right hand side and they held onto the lead until the final lap where Tom and Fresh and Pete and Amy managed to get through on the final beat. Tom and Fresh went on to win, with Pete and Amy coming in 2nd. Chris and myself managed to get through Malcolm and Josh by coming out high at the last gybe mark to come 3rd with Josh and Malcolm hot on our heels in 4th.

The 3rd (and as it turned out final race) had a different leader at the windward mark with Peter and John Rose in 1995 nailing the beat by going hard right followed by Chris and me. The next beat involved a tacking duel between 1995 and 2026 for the top 2 spots. By the end of lap 2 the wind was really starting to drop witty Peter and John still hanging onto the lead. The front 2 went right but 2025, 2039and 2058 all spotted the breeze filling in from the left and raced for it. Pete and Amy got their first, tacked in the breeze and rounded the windward mark with a convincing lead. Tom and Fresh rounded next, followed by Peter and John, then Chris and myself and then Nev and Karl just behind. A very floaty 2 legs to the finish followed with Pete and Amy taking the win, Tom and Fresh held onto second just in front of Nev and Karl who managed to slide up to 3rd, we thought we should probably let Caddy and Ellie finish in front of their own boat and they came through on the last race to come 4th followed by Chris and myself in 2026 and then Peter and John Rose.

The wind was very light by this point and everyone was cold so the sensible decision was made to call it a day. The second day dawned to a mirror like Chew Valley with no one holding their breath that racing would take place, with the usual no wind boat inspecting going on (at least the sun was out). The decision was made at mid day to bin racing and Tom and Fresh were crowned winners.

Prize Winners:

1st Tom Jeffcoate and Fresh Abendstern 2025
2nd Pete Gray and Amy Clay 2058
3rd Chris Martin and John Tailby 2026 (sail no. 1969)
1st Silver Fleet Malcolm James and Josh Oates 2001

Overall Results: