Crewsaver Millennium Series for 2000s at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club

Ready for the fifth event in the Crewsaver Millennium Series at Felixstowe Ferry © Barbara Nicholson

Fifteen boats braved the poor forecast for the East Coast this weekend and attended the fifth event in the Crewsaver Millennium Series.

Saturday morning came and the weather forecast proved to be less than accurate as the fleet headed out over the River Deben bar in 10 knots of wind. The race officer had decided to bring the fourth race forward to Saturday because of Sunday's forecast. There followed four cracking races in a 10 to 14 knot breeze. The conditions were very interesting, ripples on the surface of the water showing the gusts, disturbed by a short North Sea chop from a different direction; with a set of wind driven waves blowing in a different direction; and a swell from a fourth from the deep sea ships two miles off-shore!

Chris and Gill Jordan showed the fleet how to sail in these conditions leading every race on Saturday from start to finish and finishing most races well in the lead. Only in the last race of the day did Iain and Sarah Yardley nearly catch them on the last leg.

Sunday was interesting! The wind started at about 16 to 20 knots with sharp waves. Most boats headed inshore from the start where it was much smoother and it was possible to keep the boat moving. The first downwind leg saw many boats taking a swim on the first gybe in very strong conditions. This time, Colin and Adam Treadwell from Wilsonian got out in front, only to see their gennaker halyard snap in the second lap; but they were able to continue the race and just held off the competition to win it. A local boat from the Felixstowe youth squad, ably crewed by Sam Rowel and Rob Poole, took second place on the last leg with Chris and Gill coming third.

With the wind building even more, the race officer then sent the fleet in for an early lunch and an end to the day. Everyone was very grateful to him.

Many thanks to Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club for running an excellent event: a very friendly club to which the 2000 class will certainly return.

Thanks also to our sponsors Crewsaver and Noble Marine.

Overall Results: