Shankling Sailing Club Preston & Pursuit Series - Race 1

Preston Points Series Race 1:

Sailing started this weekend at Shanklin S.C. and despite difficult conditions plenty of helms were rigging their boats. The predominant boat at Shanklin is the Sprint 15 catamaran re-named from the Dart 15 last year and is the only single handed cat on the market today. Production of this boat has moved to South Africa, and the first set has now reached the UK with appropriate "Out of Africa" graphics on the hulls. Erling Holmberg has invested in one of these new Sprint 15's and the club will watch its abilities closely this year!

The first race was Preston points series 1. The sea was rough, tide ebbing and wind north easterly force 4 gusting 5. The rescue boat was busy from the start. Chris Read got intimate with new sailor Charlie Pierces' starboard end which forced him to limp home around Ian Bolton whose boat was upside down near the beach! Will Baker unhooked his rudders on a shallow sand bank and went for a drift down Shanklin sea front. Stuart "model village" Dyer found time for a quick swim before up righting his boat and joining the fleet for sailing. Meanwhile Paul Tanner was in good form leading the way around the windward mark with Geoff Howlett and Erling Holmberg close behind. Erlings new sprint 15 "made in Africa and looks like it" started to break up which allowed the "fearless farmer" Stuart Pierce in his newly renovated, shiny hulled boat to move into third. Keith Newnhams mast had its usual bending problem which Dr Simon Giles, in fifth place, quickly diagnosed as "age". Paul Tanner finished an exhausting race in first place, and after a few excellent results in the winter traveler series on the mainland looks to be the man in form. Geoff Howlett second and Stuart Pierce third.

Preston Points Race 1 Results:

The Pursuit race followed which has a handicapped start. This enables the novices to experience racing from the front, whilst the more able have the challenge to catch them up. Paul Hayes was first away and made good boat speed to the windward mark. Bob Baker edged in front with Simon Giles a close second, until the pressure of leading caused a cerebral malfunction and both hit the next two marks with corresponding penalty. John Shenton and Stuart Pierce took full advantage, and Geoff Howlett defied his advancing years by sailing like a nipper, fully hiked out, to advance up the fleet. Erling Holmberg’s new boat seemed to be still in one piece as was his voice despite the constant barracking! The race was cut short and so John Shenton managed to hold on to win before the pros could close in further, with Stuart Pierce second and Simon Giles third.

Pursuit Series Race 1 Results: