Albacore open meeting at Bartley Sailing Club

Jeremy Shinton and Harry Ashworth, overall winners - Albacore open meeting at Bartley © David Lucas

Nine boats arrived at Bartley S.C. in the strong wind conditions that Bartley is becoming famous for. With gusts hitting thirty miles an hour, Chris Martin O.D. gave the briefest of briefings and sent us to our fates.

Jeremy Shinton and Harry Ashworth sailed like heroes to take gold, putting their new mast to good use. With a 3.1.1 score line they edged Steve Brown and Mark Fowler into second place by a point after Steve and Mark D.N.F. in the last race following a swim. Steve, no doubt, being distracted by Mark's hat.

The tussle for third place changed every race with Phil Smith and Sean Ricketts working their way up to finish ahead of Clive and Tim for fourth and Matt and Heather in fifth. All three boats on six points. It has to be said, Matt retired after race two when it became apparent he might finish fourth and have to write this report.

Paul and Helen should have also been in the aforementioned group but decided to practise their swimming in the second race and before the third leaving too much work to do to catch Clive and Tim, despite hunting them down with super impressive speed.

Steven Brown and Mark Fowler, second overall - Albacore open meeting at Bartley - photo © David Lucas

Everyone gets a mention in this report, so Chris and Dan, Andrew and Ed and Steve and Kim brought up the rear in fine style, and in Kim's case extreme bravery. I've been in the front of Steve's boat and that was before he got a centre mainsheet!

Many thanks to Bartley S.C. race crew and everyone who came and made it a great day.

P.S. After ten years Gimson Senior beat Gimson Junior; hell to pay at Ogston.

Overall Results:

Phil Smith and Sean Ricketts, third overall - Albacore open meeting at Bartley - photo © David Lucas