Comet open meeting at Winsford Flash Sailing Club

Comet open meeting at Winsford Flash © Brian Herring

A fine sunny Saturday in Cheshire with a 21degC heat and a Northern breeze forecast of 10kts with 13kt gusts expected. As the day unfolded the Race Officer Jon Close faced several challenges as the wind changed direction on multiple occasions and overall. Helms faced wind speed no more than 6kts in very shifty conditions across the lake.

The club is in the centre of the county of Cheshire and holds a 90 acre lake fed by the river Weaver and at the head of the Weaver navigation in the picturesque area of Cheshire known as 'The Cheshire Broads'. On the day the event attracted 13 boats in all from across the country and some opted to stay the night before. Helms travelled as far from Bowmoor SC, Burghfield SC and Ogston SC.

RO Jon Close was the officer in charge and briefed sailing instructions and the racing area identifying the configuration of marks and known shallow areas at the NW-N side of the Flash where the river enters the Flash.

Marks at Winsford Flash SC - photo © WFSC

Race 1

The first race saw a delayed start as the wind dropped from its forecast and shifted 100 degrees, the start saw a Southerly wind 5knts with course marked 6,8,3,2,5,1. On the start line helms battled it out for position and C579 Alastair Stagg was caught with an individual recall. First to the windward mark was Eddie Pope C377 closely followed by a tight pack lead by Peter Coop C610, Pete Chambers C437 and Paul Dawson C690.

The lead group changed position several times but the mid-fleet tactical battle between C745 Fiona Niddre, C697 Janet Gaukroger and C690 Paul Dawson saw most of the action in the tricky wind shifts. Charlotte Coop C877 showed great strength as she picked of the fleet closing in on the leaders. Peter Coop C610 finished the race 1st place, closely followed by Eddie Pope C377 and Charlotte Coop C877 with a great result in 3rd.

There was a well-earned break for lunch, Claudie Black and the galley team put on a fantastic BBQ in the hot weather, with plenty of refreshments and a variety of cakes by Claudie, Charlotte, Fiona, Janet and Carl.

Comet open meeting at Winsford Flash - photo © Danny Andersen

Race 2

The wind remained consistent for the start with a Southerly breeze 5-6knts, the course remained the same (6,8,3,2,5,1). WFSC is well known for its wind shifts and with the challenges helms faced in Race 1 they were well briefed and focused as they all hit the water.

Race 2 was again a committee boat start and the fleet split on the line the majority taking a starboard start at the committee boat, it was here that C437 Pete Chambers and C849 Jacky Stagg capsized on the line, this enabled those on a port start to challenge for the lead with C911 Carl Ellis briefly edging 3rd place. Jacky in C849 almost caught the fleet again by the first mark, a great recovery.

First to windward mark was C610 Pete Coop, followed by C867 Chris Robinson, C690 Paul Dawson and then C911 Carl Ellis all tightly packed. Peter Coop C610 finished the race 1st place ahead of C867 Chris Robinson 2nd followed by Eddie Pope C377 in 3rd.

So, with two wins in the bag Peter Coop C610 took a break and decided to take some well-earned rest and time to watch the final race of the day.

Comet open meeting at Winsford Flash - photo © Brian Herring

Race 3

As helms headed to the line RO Jon Close called a postponement as the wind shifted 180 degrees to a Northerly breeze. A new course was set from the committee boat and helms readjusted. The course was changed to 3,1,5,8,6 and first to the windward mark was C377 Eddie Pope taking a demanding lead followed by C894 Jacky Stagg, C579 Alastair Stagg then C867 Chris Robinson. There were multiple wind shifts during the race and at mid race point C175 Richard Gibson without warning made a blistering charge through the fleet to take 3rd place.

There was plenty going on mid fleet with 6 Comets jostling for position, as the RO called a shortened course and the line was in sight C911 Carl Ellis made contact with a marker which took him away from the fleet with C745 Fiona Niddrie, C643 Linda Shaw, C697 Janet Gaukroger and C175 Richard Gibson taking the advantage. Race result, Eddie Pope C377 took 1st, 2nd Chris Robinson C867 closely followed by C579 Alastair Stagg.

The day was concluded by prize-giving and a very welcome afternoon tea and tiffin for all with Peter Coop C610 overall winner, Eddie Pope C377, Chris Robinson C867 3rd and Charlotte Coop C877 1st lady.

Thanks went to the race team, safety and galley whom all did a sterling task of operations behind the scene and on the water to ensure a successful event.

Comet open meeting at Winsford Flash - photo © Carl Ellis

Overall Results: