Blithfield Barrel Series 2012/13 - Round 4
by Chris Martin 20 Feb 2013 09:17 GMT
17 February 2013
54 boats arrived to a gorgeous day to contest the last round of the 2012/2013 Blithfield Barrel. The sailing conditions loioked quite light initially, but quickly turned out to be perferct with a force three blowing over the dam wall. PRO for the day Bill Watson set an excellent course and the fleet got underway first time.
The long beat across the length of the lake favoured left and those who went that way got to the widward mark first. Jim Hunt and Norman Byrd in the 505 established a clear lead on the water, but failed to take the race from Andy Davies and Tom Pygall in the Merlin by just one second! Dave Winder and James Dawes came in third in another Merlin. The long beat and a short but deceptively tactical beat from 3 to 2 gave excellent racing throughout the fleet.
The customery Blithfield pies were provided for lunch, thanks to the ladies (And Steve) in the galley.
By race two the wind had swung slightly to the right, leading to a general recall and black flag restart. The restart got away cleanly, though a further shimmy to the right made things extremely congested at the first couple of marks. The Fireball of Tom Gillard/Simon Potts came through to win, and to cement their name on the Barrel overall. Matt Biggs and John Hackett come in second, with another Merlin sailed by Dave Wade and Ben Rayner in third.
So that's if for the barrel for this year. Blithfield SC would like to thank all those who attended, and all those volunteers who have made the event possible. It is particularly pleasing to count the number of current and former national and world champions (never mind open meeting winners!) who have come to join us for the series.
Overall the Fireball of Tom Gillard and Simon Potts took the Barrel, the first time a Fireball has won the event. Matt Biggs and John Hackett had to settle for second, and Andy Davies crewed by Ben Hendon/Rob Kennaugh/Tom Pygall came in third.
See you all next year.