Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake

Which way now? - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake © Ian Clowes

From Drifting to Hiking: A Day of Many Winds (and One Dave)

Shotwick Lake played host to a fleet of 25 boats and 29 sailors on Tuesday May 20th for the Border Counties Midweek Open, with sailors from far and wide (well, some from Winsford Flash and Shustoke, at least) turning up to battle it out in everything from Toppers to Supernovas.

What they got was a textbook example of varied conditions from ghosting zephyrs to fully hike-or-swim gusts. In short: a classic Shotwick day.

OODs trying to figure out what the wind will do next - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake - photo © Ian Clowes

Race 1: The Bumpercars Grand Prix

The day kicked off with a light south-easterly breeze and some very enthusiastic positioning at the committee boat end (we'll call it high-spirited strategy rather than carnage). The race kicked off with a surprise twist, just 15 seconds before the gun, the breeze suddenly piped up from 0 to 7 knots. Sailors who had been ghosting toward the line suddenly found themselves charging in much faster than expected.

Somehow, no one was over the line, but it made for a nail-biting start. With big 30-degree wind shifts and patches of absolute nothingness, elbows came out at the marks and a fair few racers barely scraped a lap.

Amid the chaos, Dave Turtle (former Shotwick regular turned Shustoke speedster) quietly tiptoed through the drifting fleet and took the win in his Comet.

Taking a gamble on port - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake - photo © Brian Herring

Lunch: The Great Wind Break

At this point, even the wind gave up and went for a nap, so the fleet followed suit and headed in for a break. Thanks to Dot for the warm drinks, delicious cakes, and critical morale-boosting.

Race 2: Déjà Drift

Race two looked suspiciously familiar. A bit of wind at the start, some optimism... followed swiftly by déjà vu-level drifting. But while most of the fleet jostled on starboard at the line, Dave Turtle pulled off a textbook-perfect port tack flier, threading the needle like he owned the place. It was bold, beautiful, and entirely effective. Once again, Dave then used some dark sailing wizardry (or just a better lane) to cruise into another convincing win.

Unbeknownst to him, he'd already sealed overall victory though no one told him, so he gamely went on for race three.

First overall, Dave Turtle - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake - photo © Ian Clowes

Race 3: The Wind Remembers Its a Sailing Day

The afternoon brought a complete turnaround (literally) with the wind shifting to a feisty 10/12 knots from the northwest and the temperature dropping just enough to remind us that its still the UK. Suddenly sailors were out of the bottom of their boats, hiking like they meant it and grinning at the sensation of actual boat speed.

With a shorter, zippier course and five laps completed by most, this was proper racing. This time, local heroes Simon & Julie Dolman showed the fleet how its done, claiming the win in their Miracle and breaking the Comet monopoly.

Second overall, Pete Coop - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake - photo © Ian Clowes

A huge thank you to:

Paul (RO) and his team for running excellent racing in wild conditions. Dot, for fuelling us with amazing cakes, drinks, and good cheer, without all these people none of these open events could take place. Everyone who joined in for making it a day to remember!

We had bumps, we had drifts, we had hiking and most importantly, we had fun. See you all at Shropshire Sailing Club on Tuesday June 17th

Third overall, Pete Chambers - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake - photo © Ian Clowes

So why not come and join our friendly Tuesday club - it's better than being in work!

If you want any information about the series then see bordercountiesmidweeksailing.wordpress.com

First Junior, Nayth Twiggs - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake - photo © Ian Clowes

Overall Results:

1st Double Handed: Simon & Julie Dolman - Miracle - Shotwick
1st Junior: Nayth Twiggs - Topper - Budworth
Honourable mention to Sara: completed her first ever open meeting in a Laser Radial - go Sara!

First Double Handed, Simon and Julie Dolman - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Shotwick Lake - photo © Ian Clowes