Optimist open meeting at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club
by Sally Campbell 13 Jul 2012 10:31 BST
7 July 2012
18 young sailors made the trip to Bristol Corinthian SC despite the forecast for heavy rain from as far as Falmouth and Staffordshire . As it turned out the rain arrived with a challenging F4-5. After a brief postponement to allow a particularly wild squall to pass; race officer Peter Knight ran 2 races back to back for the 12 sailors in the main fleet around a trapezoidal course.
Main Fleet
Race 1 started cleanly with Drew Wright (South Staffs) setting the early pace; however by the first mark Ryan Bush (BCYC) had a slight lead. Showing some blistering downwind pace Ryan managed to extend this to the finish. Wright held a comfortable second with Jamie Harris (BCYC) and Jack Elsby- Hartman (RSC) having a dog fight all the way around the 3 laps with barely more than a couple of boat lengths between them to the finish. Elsby-Hartman holding on for 3rd.
Race 2 started with the pin end being favoured and with Bush pushing just too hard and being called over. A close battle between Harris and Wright continued for 2 laps with Harris gaining the upper hand with Wright 2nd and Elsby –Hartman 3rd. Bush worked hard to recover from last to finish 4th.
After a break for a warming pasta lunch the sailors returned to a slightly lighter breeze. Race 3 saw close battles throughout the fleet with Harris just holding off Bush to the finish. Elsby- Hartman showed very consistent sailing to finish 3rd with Wright in 4th.
Heading into the last race it was between, Wright, Harris and Bush. This time Harris and Wright both went 20 seconds early prompting a late evening protest against the race officer and were called over leaving Bush to sail away to finish as he started the day with a commanding lead. Elsby-Hartman gained a comfortable second with Matthew Brown (Bowmoor SC) demonstrating that he could also show good pace by finishing a creditable 3rd. Harris and Wright following in 4th and 5th.
Bush took honours for the event with Harris 2nd. The 3rd place was decided on count back with Wright just pipping Elsby-Hartman. Caitlin Webster demonstrated great skill and speed in her first year out of regatta fleet finishing as the first non RYA squad sailor,
Main Fleet results
1st Ryan Bush, BCYC
2nd Jamie Harris, BCYC
3rd Drew Wright, South Staffs SC
4th Jack Elsby-Hartman, Restronguet SC
5th Mathew Brown, Bowmoor SC
6th Oliver Goodhead, BCYC
7th Maisy Harkness, Bowmoor SC
8th Ben Gray, Bowmoor SC
9th Caitlan Webster, Durleigh SC
10th Zak Riley, Bowmoor SC
11th Bettine Harris, BCYC
Regatta Fleet
Meanwhile, the 9 regatta fleet sailors, for most this was their first racing experience, sailed around their course unperturbed by all the main fleet fuss. The short course provided really close racing with one or two bangs and bumps at the marks mostly denting pride rather than GRP. Joe Walters seemed to be on the receiving end of most of the crashes, but he soldiered on to finish an excellent 4th, Pippa Wellwood just pipped Joe to 3rd place, but clearly in front were Orin Corlett and Charlie Elsby Hartman who had no more than 5 boat lengths between them in any of the finishes.
Charlie won 5 races to Orins 3 to take the title, it really was close and exciting. The most impressive thing about these young sailors was that most of the 9 only started sailing this year, they showed good skill and bravery in testing conditions. Special mentions must be made for Lydia Neal, Anna Horakova, Abigail and Ellen Campell who were exceptionally courageous and improved tremendously throughout the day.
Prizes were kindly donated by TheTogStore from Langford and the competitors and helpers were treated to cream tea to round off a superb days sailing
Regatta Fleet results
1st Charlie Elsby-Hartman, Restronguet SC
2nd Orin Corlett, Durleigh SC
3rd Pippa Wellwood, Durleigh SC
4th Joe Walters, Durleigh SC
5th Lydia Neal, BCYC
6th Anna Horokova, BCYC
6th Abigail Campell, BCYC
8th Ellen Campell, BCYC