Craftinsure Lark open meeting at Weymouth Sailing Club
by John Brickwood 23 Jun 23:54 AEST
John Brickwood and Andy Hicks, first overall - Craftinsure Lark open meeting at Weymouth SC © Nigel Hufton
Weymouth Sailing Club hosted a strong fleet of 18 Larks all keen to test their speed and skills on the open sea before the Lark National Championships coming up in late-July. Sponsored by Craftinsure, the fleet also included five local Weymouth SC boats raced by youth sailors.
Racing was in Weymouth Bay, a short sail from the sailing club.
The first race was started in a light south westerly breeze. Starting at the pin end, John Brickwood & Andy Hicks held a close lead at the windward mark from Tim Fells & Jerry Eplett followed by Ed Bradburn & Holly Evans.
John & Andy held their lead until the final run where Ed & Holly found some breeze along the shore to sneak through into the lead only to find that they were over the line at the start giving the win to John & Andy who were closely followed by Tim & Jerry with Emma Harris and David Marlow third.
The second race was started in similar conditions with John & Andy and Tim & Jerry again both starting at the pin end and taking a long port tack to the windward mark. With the benefit of a slight wind shift at the end of the beat John & Andy rounded first from Tim & Jerry and went on to extend the lead and take their second race win. Ed & Holly finished third with Samuel Bailey & Nick Hydon fourth.
Further racing was delayed as the wind shifted and settled from the south. However, shortly before the start of the third race, a bank of fog rolled across the course, completely hiding the Osprey fleet, which had set off 5 minutes before. The race officer wisely sent the fleet ashore.
On Saturday evening, competitors enjoyed a few beers and a BBQ on the sun deck at Weymouth Sailing Club, enjoying views across the harbour and Weymouth Bay.
Sunday morning arrived hot sunny, but no wind. After two hours and no sign of any wind filling in racing was abandoned giving the win to John and Andy and 1st Youth to Hannah Carruthers and Isobel Stewart.
Thanks to Weymouth sailing club and their race team for hosting the Larks.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Mowgli | 2528 | John Brickwood | Andy Hicks | Frensham Pond SC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Floozi | 2527 | Tim Fells | Jerry Eplett | Salcombe YC | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Allergic To Water | 2536 | Samuel Bailey | Nick Hydon | South Staffs SC | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | Well Dodgy | 2495 | Stuart Hydon | Ann Biglin | Dittisham | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| 5 | | 2530 | Clive Eplett | MIke Clifton‑Dey | Frensham Pond SC | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 6 | Nigel New Boat | 2543 | Nigel Hufton | Chris Whitehouse | Frensham Pond SC | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| 7 | | 2534 | Hannah Carruthers | Isobel Stewart | Frensham Pond SC | 9 | 8 | 17 |
| 8 | Expresso Bongo | 2477 | Alex Enkel | Katy Keiith | Waldringfield SC | 12 | 6 | 18 |
| 9 | Dylan | 2544 | Nigel Scott | Tegwyn Roberts | RYA | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| 10 | | 2411 | Jai Sanehi | Amba Sanehi | Barnt Green SC | 8 | 13 | 21 |
| 11 | | 2526 | Ed Bradburn | Holly Evans | South Staff SC | UFD | 3 | 22 |
| 12 | Bob | 2491 | Emma Harris | David Marlow | Waldringfield SC | 3 | UFD | 22 |
| 13 | Ariadne | 2468 | George Graham | Jess Hooker | Locks SC | 11 | 11 | 22 |
| 14 | Zebedee | 2472 | Tye Shuttleworth | Richard Frost | Weymouth SC | 15 | 12 | 27 |
| 15 | Jumpers, Kittens and Cake | 2349 | Jackson Bailey | Toby Keats | Weymouth SC | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| 16 | | 2275 | Noah English | Lewis Cornish‑Harrison | Weymouth SC | 16 | 15 | 31 |
| 17 | That One | 2272 | Erin Bailey | Dan Bailey | Weymouth SC | 13 | DNC | 32 |
| 18 | This One | 2226 | | | Weymouth SC | OCS | DNC | 38 |