Buzz Inland Championships at King George Sailing Club
by Mark & Jane Wilson 18 Oct 2013 14:45 BST
12-13 October 2013
Matt Butler and Graziano Spano win the Buzz Inland Championships at King George © Will Tremlett / H2O Photography
The first day saw very light winds from the east. The organisers had arranged lots of room for the Buzz and ISO races on the King George reservoir.
Ian and Jess - 919 had best boat speed during the day and won the first race with 748 and 1027 following. The patchy wind meant substantial position changes and gains could be made.
The wind filled in from the right hand side on race 2 with 919 taking full advantage. The third race was in dying conditions – but when the wind filled in from the left hand side at the windward mark 748 and 763 were able to take the most advantage. Both held on in a tense finish to beat an advancing 919.
Heavy rain and blustery wind greeted the competitors on Sunday morning when the Buzz and ISO fleets were joined in a busy starting area by a well-supported interclub event. Racing got underway in the stronger but gusty wind and 919 continued to impress with another first place. An unexpected windshift during a gybe close to the leeward mark sent 784 in for a swim and 1027 held on to second, taking advantage of a favourable gust in the last downwind leg, for their best result.
The wind became increasingly fickle and light for the final races. 763 with good boat speed secured two 3rds. 748 were undeterred by their slip up in race 4 to secure a first in race 5 leaving it all to play for on race 6.
A very close start (including a brave attempt by 748 at a port flyer) and beat to the first mark in race 6 determined the final positions with 748 coming out top. The wind swinging more to the west meant the course was almost a single reach to the bottom mark and although the wind was inconsistent, 748 fended off 919 to secure a 3rd first and win the Inlands - equal on points with 919 but with a favourable count back.
Overall Results:
1st 748, Matt Butler and Graziano Spano
2nd 919, Ian and Jess Staples
3rd 763, Mark and Robbie Turner
4th 1027, Jane Noble and Mark Wilson
5th 921, Mike and Nathan Stanier