West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd Sailing Club

Flat calm - West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series and Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd © LSC

Snooze your way to a race win

Round 1 of the West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series at Llandegfedd on April 12th was in severe danger of being a non event but somehow turned into a remarkable event. At the scheduled start time the whole reservoir was a complete flat calm with not even the ducks making a ripple.

Race 2 - West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series and Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd - photo © LSC

A number of entrants were no show due to zero wind forecast and race team/competitors were fearing the worst. Epically when a light southerly filled in and the fleet launched only to get becalmed when they reached the committee boat as that zephyr switched off. But then as if by magic a proper southerly appeared and the race team rapidly set a course hoping to bang in a couple of races.

Much to everyone's astonishment the wind stayed all afternoon always in the 4-8 knot region. Yes it was patchy with major slants but never switched off. The race team really got into their stride and managed to fit the scheduled four races with aplomb and great race management, starting the last race with 8 minutes to spare on the 16.00 cut off time. Your reporter is still pinching himself to make sure he did not dream this.

Adrian Stell had 6 year old daughter Jess crewing and all the excitement (plus numerous packets of Haribo) was all too much for her so she had a proper nap throughout race 3 stretched out on the side tank whilst dad did all the work. The snooze obviously did her good and despite dad's fears that she would wake up grumpy they flew off the start line to lead at the first mark never to be challenged to win the final race.

Adrian and Jessica Stell - West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series and Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd - photo © LSC

Iain/Sarah Yardley, Jay/Alice Whitehead and Matt Sargent/Lou Dicker all had turns in the lead in the other three races and were highly competitive throughout. But the Llandegfedd home boats were the stars of the show. Paul/Sharon Freeland and Pete Vincent/Elysia Dooley had a battle royal it seemed never more than 3 boat lengths apart throughout all four races ending up tied on 5 points with Paul and Sharon becoming 2000 Welsh Champions on tie break.

The ultra consistent Charlie Felgate/Grant Wilton Cardiff Bay YC won the silver division.

Ashore there were many very happy and sun burnt faces tucking into free cake Llandegfedd had produced.

Start of Race 4 - West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series and Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd - photo © LSC

Overall Results:

Paul and Sharon Freeland, overall winners - West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series and Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd - photo © LSC

West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series and Welsh Championships at Llandegfedd - photo © LSC