Midland District Marblehead Ranking Event at Manor Park Sailing Club
by UK M Class 22 Oct 2013 15:41 BST
Midlands District Ranking race held from Manor Park © Roger Stollery
21 skippers made the trip to this years running of the Midlands District Ranking race held from the Manor Park Sailing Club. Competitors came from all parts of the country, along with a couple skilled of German visitors to test themselves against some of the countries best including current National and World Champion Brad Gibson and multiple National Marblehead, and now former IOM World Champion Peter Stollery.
Light A rig conditions greeted the skippers, but with threatening clouds and the prediction of strong winds, rig bags were kept close by in expectation of quick rig changes.
After seeding races were completed with both Stollery and Gibson taking a win apiece, the fleet settled into some quality racing with challenging figure of eight courses set by PRO Paul Stubbs to get the best of the oscillating winds.
As the day progressed and the wind picked up skippers changed down to B rigs and settled into some fast tight racing.
Many skippers over the day had moments at the front of the fleet with relative newcomer to the class Darin Ballington racing an older Bantock designed ROK to some fine placings. Others notable skippers to shine throughout the day were Nigel Winkley from GER, Roy Stevens, Hugh McAdoo, Martin Crysell and Henning Faas GER.
At the days conclusion it was Gibson who held the wood over Stollery for all but 2 of 9 races to take the win with 7 points after 2 discards. Stollery came home in 2nd on 14 points with Darin Ballington finishing well to take 3rd on 26 points
Final results are here [PDF].
It was encouraging to see a few added faces, both new and old to the Marblehead class for this event. Some who have aquired recent boats and others that have dusted off that racing machine at the back of the cupboard. Some sported new sails, some new keels, and others no more than a wash and polish but what was evident is that people are getting on board the Marblehead resurgence that is happening here in the UK. Why not grab a boat and get planning for next years big season ahead which includes some 1 and 2 day ranking events, a Nationals, a World Championship in Gouda, Netherlands and a full season of Games events. Get to it!
A big thank you to PRO Paul Stubbs and his Midlands race team of Graham Walley, Gordon Sears, Tracey Ballington, Mick Chamberlain and PJ Ballington who provided us all with a most enjoyable days racing.
That is now the final Marblehead Ranking event for 2013 but skippers are reminded of the upcoming Mermaid Trophy to be held at the Guildford club on the 3rd November. For all Marblehead class news please visit the class website at marbleheadsailing.wordpress.com