West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series round 5 at Oxford Sailing Club

West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series round 5 at Oxford © Henry Bright

2000 sailors arrived from many different locations but all seemed to travel a comfortable 2-ish hours to get to Oxford Sailing Club for round 5 of the West Country Boat Repairs Millennium Series. We were warmly welcomed by Henry & Susie Bright and the generous sausage sandwiches served in the clubhouse.

The Brights led the way to the first windward mark - home club advantage! Shifty conditions meant boats were switching places throughout the fleet. Three testing laps later and the Freelands inland expertise put them in first place, swiftly followed by Paul Spanner Cullen and then the Adey & Roz Stell. Pete Vincent & Rebecca Bradley in fourth and the Brights in fifth.

We could see some hefty looking clouds around us but so far they had avoided the race track. However we can blame the them for the 60 degree wind shifts and on/off breeze!

Race number 2 kicked off after a quick turnaround from the race officer and team. The Freelands tried the same upwind strategy but this time going right didn't pay and it meant that the others could get to the front. Pete & Rebecca came second and Spanner expertly crewed by Sophie came third.

The 2000s made the short trip to the shore for lunch and the sailors refuelled. The relaunch after lunch came with a squall and the blackest of clouds which was short-lived before another burst of sunshine! Random weather and shifty conditions.

Newly crowned Wayfarer National Champion showed the fleet how it's done in race 3 - steaming over the line in first was Spanner and his crew for today Sophie! The Stells swept up second place closely followed by Pete & Rebecca in third and the Freelands in fourth.

West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series round 5 at Oxford - photo © Henry Bright

The scores were even across the top three boats and it was all going to be decided in the last race of the day!

The pin end bias paid off for the Stells on the first leg who were closely followed by Pete and Spanner. Adey managed to keep ahead throughout the race but only just in some extremely tight racing. The gybing duel towards the blue flag finish tested their nerves but Adey & Roz held on to the lead to win the race and overall.

Helen & Andrew Philips won the silver division in 6th place overall whilst Oxford boat Mike & Monty were first family junior. The first visit the 2000 fleet has made to Oxford in many a year and the whole agreed they will be back next year.

The West Country Country Boat Repairs Millennium Series final round is at the wonderful Stone SC on Sept 27/28 - don't miss it.

Overall Results:

Adrian and Roz Stell win West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Millennium Series round 5 at Oxford - photo © Henry Bright