Int. Canoe Nationals at Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club Overall
by Chris Hampe 8 Aug 2012 21:41 BST
4-7 August 2012
With the final day of the International Canoe Europa Cup at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club started with a light south westerly wind. In the IC fleet Colin Newman lead the boats towards the left side of the course where the wind began to swing round to the south and fill in strength. The fresher breeze suited Chris Hampe who led the first two laps until losing positions on the final beat to round the final windward mark in 3rd. After he cleared the offending weed off his daggerboard he closed the gap to the lead pair and engaged a three way gybing duel with Simon Allen and Steve Clark. Steve held onto the win just a couple seconds ahead of Hampe with Simon Allen just behind the lead pair.
The final race of the championship provided some of the closest IC sailing ever seen at an IC event. The race started with Hampe port tracking the fleet and heading to the right side of the course with Steve Clack and Alistair warren continuing to the left. The lead five boats closed up on each other with Warren and John Ellis just inches ahead of Hampe Clark and Allen. The boats split unwind and it was Alistair Warren now with a clear lead with Steve Clark dropping back down the order. With Alistair Warren out in front with the title secured It was another photo finish that would decide 2nd place overall between John Ellis and Chris Hampe.
On the final downward leg it appeared that John Ellis had better speed as he passed into a boatlength lead to leopard Simon Allen dived over the top of Hampe into 3rd place. Moments later Hampe made his move sailing fast and high to repass Allen on the inside before gybing back towards the mark on starboard to round a boatlength behind Ellis. John Ellis however had a slow wide rounding allowing Hampe to climb above his line as both boats drag raced along the short fetch to the finish line. At the blind there was just inches in it as Hampe crossed the line first timing the two boats obviously points with the tiebreak falling in Hampe's favour. Overall Alistair Warren was consistent across the varying conditions throughout the event and was a worthy winner well clear of the chasing pack. Simon Allen was the first ICOD boat whilst Steve Clark womb the novice cup.
In the AC fleet Steve Bowen won he first race to se sure himself second overall from Phill Allen in 2nd and Arne Stall 3rd. Series leader Robin Wood finished mid fleet but if there was any doubting his credentials he went on to take win number 7 in the final race Phill Allen was second again clearly enjoying he conditions to stay ahead of Steve Bowen in third place.
Overall Robin Wood continues his dominance of the class with Steve Bowen also clear away from the rest of the pack. Tony Robertson held in to 3rd lace from Arne Stahl who's 4th place finish was outstanding given that the German had to count a DNC due to a mechanical failure on route to the championships.
The event was a great success and thanks must go to the race officer Keith Kendal for fitting the full schedule of races in dispute the varying conditions. Further thanks must go to the safety boat crews without who we could not sail, John and Nikki Buckler for there help organising the event and results and finally to our sponsors Ullman Sails who are set to make further inroads in this class.
Overall Results:
IC Fleet
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 317 | Alistair Warren | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -4 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | 308 | Chris Hampe | 2 | (DNF) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 22 |
| 3 | 318 | John Ellis | (DNF) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 22 |
| 4 | 278 | Simon Allen | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | (OCS) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 320 | Steve Clark | 3 | (DNF) | 5 | 3 | 3 | DNC | DNC | 1 | 5 | 42 |
| 6 | 275 | Hugh DeLongh | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | -7 | 43 |
| 7 | 295 | Colin Newman | 6 | 4 | -7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 48 |
| 8 | 242 | E Bremner | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | -9 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 59 |
| 9 | 311 | Perham Harding | (DNF) | DNC | 9 | 9 | 8 | DNC | DNC | 8 | DNF | 78 |
| 10 | 321 | Gareth Caldwell | (DNF) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 88 |
AC Fleet
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 233 | Robin Wood | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -6 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | 310 | Steve Bowen | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 17 |
| 3 | 306 | Tony Robertshaw | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -8 | 5 | 7 | 37 |
| 4 | 76 | Arne Stahl | (DNC) | DNC | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 40 |
| 5 | 280 | Peter McLaren | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | -7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 43 |
| 6 | 296 | Phil Allen | 3 | (DNF) | 3 | DNF | DNC | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 44 |
| 7 | 298 | Rob Bell | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | (DNC) | DNC | 7 | 4 | 45 |
| 8 | 269 | Andy Gordon | 8 | 8 | -9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 63 |
| 9 | 313 | Max Reid | (DNF) | 4 | DNF | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | DNC | DNC | 67 |
| 10 | 300 | Roger Howell | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | -10 | 9 | 67 |
| 11 | 294 | Rob Stebbing | (DNF) | DNC | 10 | 10 | 10 | DNC | DNC | 9 | DNF | 91 |