Combined Comet Open at Llangorse Sailing Club
by Guy Farrant 4 May 2010 12:08 BST
2-3 May 2010
Llangorse Sailing Club hosted the first 2010 open meeting of the Combined Comet Class Association. As ever the race management was excellent and the general welcome, ambiance and catering were superb. In the strong northerly gusty cold wind 8 Trios and 2 Versas enjoyed some very competitive sailing; 5 races over 2 days in beautiful surroundings, the air thick with swifts.
Race 1
Due to the natural surroundings, there were massive shifts on the first beat and it was local boat Comet Shoemaker first around the windward mark. Several place changes on the run. Red Baron sailed over several boats on the long tight spinnaker reach. Contagious unfortunately capsized. Shoemaker then had gear failure, which allowed Scarlet Lady to take the lead and hold to the finish.
Race 2
The wind eased a little. Go with the Flow was first around the windward mark into clear air and pulled away to gain a handsome lead. The rest of the fleet remained in a gaggle for the whole of the race.
Race 3
Shoemaker was first around the windward mark and slowly pulled away. Go with the Flow in contention with Halley’s comet with place changes on the run and tight spinnaker reaches. As the wind backed a little some dropped their spinnakers. The last beat was a tacking match between Go with the Flow, Halley’s comet and Scarlet Lady, but at the line that was the order. So overnight Go with the Flow was 1 point ahead of Shoemaker.
Race 4
Strong Gusty Northerly. Hotly contested start lead to a general recall. Clean away at the second attempt. Contagious first around the windward mark and lead for two laps until his crew fell out. This left the overnight leaders to battle it out. At the line Shoemaker was half a boat length ahead, so first two boats now level on points.
Race 5
Four boats all arrived together at the windward mark. The run separated these a little with Go with the Flow passing Red baron. Then a very tight gusty spinnaker reach, bearing away in the gusts. Shoemaker in third place then powered through on the beat, but Go with the Flow regained the lead on the spinnaker reach. Shoemaker just got the edge on the beat in big shifts, a lead held to the finish and securing overall winner. An excellent weekend’s racing.
Overall Results:
1st Comet Shoemaker
2nd Go with the Flow
3rd Halley’s Comet