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Comet Open at Winsford Flash Sailing Club

by Roy Symmers 13 May 2013 22:21 BST 11 May 2013

Fifteen helms including 6 visitors took part in the Winsford Flash Comet Open. The weather was overcast with heavy cloud fronts. One contestant elected to use the Mino rig and the rest used the Standard rig.

14 boats took part in Race 1. Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804) established a lead during the first lap, Bob Dodds (Crawley Mariners YC, 869) attained second place and Dave Jobling (North Staffs SC, 579) third. The fleet settled into two main groups with a significant gap between. There was some shuffling of positions in the leading group but little in the second group. The wind changed from SW to WNW during the second lap and it became more difficult to overtake or catch up as the beats mainly disappeared. The race finished with Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804) 1st, Bob Dodds (Crawley Mariners YC, 869) 2nd, Jonathan Latham (Winsford Flash SC, 349) and Dave Jobling (North Staffs SC, 579) 4th.

15 boats entered the Race 2 and 8 finished. As about half the fleet had started the second lap, a dark cloud front came through and the wind veered to the NW. A very heavy and prolonged gust hit the Flash and many of the boats capsized or were blown backwards in irons. Eight survivors finished with Jonathan Latham (Winsford Flash SC, 349) 1st, Chris Robinson (Burghfield SC, 867) 2nd, Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804) 3rd and Peter Mountford (Staunton Harold SC, 864) 4th. It was an entertaining race for the spectators and hard work for the two rescue boats.

Unsurprisingly the final race started with 11 boats. The wind eased to a brisk breeze and Jonathan Latham (Winsford Flash SC, 349) took the lead early and maintained it to the finish. Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804), Chris Robinson (Burghfield SC, 867) and Peter Mountford (Staunton Harold SC, 864) competed hard for position as did Bob Dodds (Crawley Mariners YC, 869) and John Coppenhall (Hunts SC, 532).

Thanks to Jonathan Latham the WFSC Comet trophy came home for the first time since 2004.

Overall Results: (top six)

1. Jonathan Latham (Winsford Flash SC, 349)
2. Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804)
3. Chris Robinson (Burghfield SC, 867)
4. Bob Dodds (Crawley Mariners YC, 869)
5. Peter Mountford (Staunton Harold SC, 864)
6. John Coppenhall (Hunts SC, 532)

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