Comet Versa Inland Champs at Whitefriars Sailing Club
by John Sturgeon 2 Jul 2010 10:29 BST
26-27 June 2010
Racing at Whitefriars for the Comet Trio Inlands © Karen Collyer
Whitefriars Sailing Club in the Cotswold Water Park hosted the Comet Versa Inland Championships this year with the Comet Trio Inlands. The forecast promised sun and light winds both days but Saturday proved very light or no wind whilst Sunday had mainly reasonable breezes that freshened as the day went on.
There were two races on the Saturday and four on Sunday. With wind roughly from the east courses were set that used most of the main lake and, for all but one race, the narrow cut that is perpendicular to the main part of the lake.
Six Versas, five local boats and one traveller, were joined by one Duo for the races.
Local sailor Rupert Whelan, with his son Charlie crewing, won the first race. They were followed by Stephen Linton, sailing his Duo single-handed, and Rodney Bottomley and Ian Hewer in one of the original demonstrator Versas, number 201.
In the second race the wind was very variable often dying almost completely. Once again Rupert and Charlie led the way home followed by Stephen Linton, at least to a few boat lengths from the line. Meanwhile about 150m back Jacqui and John Sturgeon, who earlier had sneaked past Rodney and Ian, began a slow approach to the finish and after some drifting two lengths from the line they crossed before Stephen. Stephen was doubly unlucky and drifted backwards whilst Rodney and Ian passed him to take third place. Stephen finally made the line ahead of the other single-hander Alistair Baird.
Sunday morning brought another sunny day but better winds. Race three was won outright by Stephen in his Duo followed by Rupert and Charlie and third was Alistair Baird.
Race four began in freshening wind and the order switched again with Alistair winning followed by Rodney and Ian with the Sturgeons third.
For the last two races the wind was quite strong and made for good racing conditions. Race five was won by the Sturgeons followed by Rodney and Ian with Rupert and Kathryn Whelan third. The last race of the day was again won by the Sturgeons from Rupert and Kathryn second and Alistair Baird third.
Overall Versa Results
1st Rupert and Charlie Whelan
2nd John and Jacqui Sturgeon
3rd Alistair Baird
4th Rodney Bottomley and Ian Hewer
5th Stephen Linton (Duo)