Dart 18 Travellers Trophy 3 at North Devon Yacht Club
by Gary Jennings & Geoff Lloyd 23 May 2013 14:29 BST
18-19 May 2013
Dart 18 Travellers' Trophy Event 3 at North Devon Yacht Club © Mike Bentley Photography
North Devon Yacht Club hosted a very successful weekend of Dart 18 catamaran racing on 18th and 19th May. The event was the third of 6 Travellers' Trophy competitions to be held at various sailing clubs around the UK. Sailors travelled from far and wide to enjoy the beautiful Instow location. 23 boats registered including six from NDYC.
Race officer Gordon Smith and his team expertly organised three races on each day in the Taw-Torridge estuary. The blue sky, calm seas and force 3 to 4 north westerly winds provided ideal racing conditions on Saturday. The first race commenced at 10:45 am and was won by Barry Peters from Datchet Sailing Club and crew Rob Mullen (from NDYC).
But Barry's lead was short lived as Dan Norman and Becky Johnson from the Isle of Sheppey achieved a 3rd and two 2nd places giving them the lead on day one by one point from David Lloyd & Lotte Johnson (SBSC) who won races two and three.
Sunday dawned with light winds but gradually strengthened whilst competitors enjoyed breakfast prepared by Ann Blackmore and her team in the club galley. By 11am there was a constant force 3 that increased through out the racing to a force 4.
After a slight adjustment of the starting line to suit the shifting wind direction the first race commenced at 11:45. With renewed vigour David and Lotte won races 1 and 3 from Dan & Becky and came second in race two which was won by Chris Goymer & Jenni Donovan (IOSSC).
Top 5 results:
1st 7724, David Lloyd & Lotte Johnson (Stokes Bay Sailing Club)
2nd 7788, Dan Norman & Becky Johnson (Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club)
3rd 7724, Chris Goymer & Jenni Donovan (IOSSC)
4th 7961, Marco Manganelli & Karen Raymont (SBSC)
5th 7930, Geoff Lloyd & Jenny Lloyd (Dee SC)
The prize for the highest placed NDYC boat went to John and Helen Farr who achieved sixth overall. Karen Raymont (one of NDYC's sailing instructors) crewed for Marco Manganelli from Stokes Bay Sailing Club and was presented with 5th prize.
Congratulations to all the sailors who thoroughly enjoyed their visit to North Devon.