Rooster 8.1 Nationals at Weston Sailing Club - Day 1
by Steve Cockerill 19 Oct 2008 10:05 BST
18-19 October 2008
Rooster 8.1 National Championships - Day 1 © Rooster Sailing
After three races in some seriously changeable conditions at Weston Sailing Club, the head of the leader board is Greg Carey from Royal Lymington Sailing Club followed by Ian Morgan and Steve Cockerill.
Race One
Approx 8 knots saw Greg and Ian fighting it out at the first windward mark. Steve Cockerill came back into the frame after lots of planing on the first downwind triangle. On the next upwind, Ian Morgan took an awesome lead by taking the starboard tack into favourable current and had an extra shift to boot! However, classic Weston saw Steve come back from third to first on the first downwind by taking the left and windier side of the run.
Greg also saw the advantage; Ian had been so far in the lead that he had committed to the right side and rounded third. Greg used his power upwind to quickly overhaul Steve, who later finished just in front of a recovering Ian. Simon Barrington of Weir Wood Sailing Club had missed the start by 30 seconds was amazed to have recovered to 4th at the end as he was revelling in the powerful conditions.
Race Two
A big shift to the right on the first upwind saw Greg take the first mark just in front of Steve. Meanwhile Ian had started at the port end of the start line and was busy making back ground on the first triangle. Steve took Greg on the second reach and lead at the leeward mark. Steve and Greg took the left side of the windward gate but Ian who had been a long way behind was able to take the short cut as the wind again veered to the right.
Ian's slightly-heeled-to-windward style worked really well and he overhauled Greg and Steve easily by the next upwind. Neither Greg or Steve had the answer to Ian's technique leaving Ian to take race two from Steve and Greg. Andrew Gordan of Stokes Bay came through strongly to take 4th.
Race Three
The wind built again slightly and the fleet were split whether to go right to avoid the current - or left to get more of the leebow. The left was the significant victor and saw Greg again dominate from Simon Barrington. Alistair Glenn of Lancing had taken some smart moves upwind on the second and final upwind to the finish, taking an early left on the first upwind when there was still some lee bow, and an early right on the last upwind when there was no lee bow left to secure third from Ian Morgan.
Kerry Tucker (first girl) was a notable 5th after avoiding the current by sailing from the mark to the right side to seal this result to an impressive 9th and 7th (she was flying downwind!)
With three races forecast for Sunday in 15+ knots it will be interesting to see who is left standing holding the trophy!