29ers at the Ovington Boats Inland Championships

29er prizewinners at the Ovington Inland Championships © Thom Touw / www.thomtouw.com

29ers at the Ovington Inland Championships © Thom Touw / www.thomtouw.com

The 29ers made up over half of this year's 128 entries for the Ovington boats Inland championships at Grafham Water Sailing Club on November 16/17. The forecast lived up to expectation; cold, dreary and light.

With 67 entries, the 29ers were given their own course area and the fleet split into flights. With 6 -8 knots of breeze there was a general recall for the first start of the first flight, Mimi El-Khazindar and Ben Batten (Royal Lymington/Lymington Town) started off their consistent first day with a bullet; 2nd were Lauren Miles and Charlie Darling (Hayling Island SC); whilst Matt Venables and Curtis Mearns (Sutton SC/Leigh & Lowton) took the top spot in the second flight; 2nd Keith and Matthew Escritt (Yorkshire Dales).

The second race saw a very close battle for first in the yellow/red flight, as it came down to who could soak the lowest down the final run, Lauren and Charlie secured the win from Owen Bowerman and Morgan Peach (Hayling Island/ Royal Torbay) from the starboard leeward gate layline. Huw Edwards and Josh Dawson (Port Dinorwic SC) won in the blue/green flight, leaving Mimi and Ben with a second.

Jane Furness and Molly Brown (Draycote/Royal Burnham) gained a massive lead in the third race ahead of Matt and Curtis, whilst Mimi and Ben started their first day repeat pattern, with another first in front of Hugh Ward and Andy Kilburn (Notts County/Hayling Island).

The final race of the day gave Tom Jeffrey and John Mather (Rutland SC) a first from Matt and Curtis. In the 2nd flight it was Charlotte Hooper & Katie Dabson (Grafham Water) out in front, with Mimi and Ben gaining another second.

On day two the whole fleet seemed ready to pack their boats up as they checked out the forecast 1 knot gusting 0 knots. However, on arrival 7 – 8 knots could be seen out on the course area. By the time the fleet launched the wind was dropping. Not to be deterred the Race Officer got the fleet away now seeded into Gold and Silver.

Gold fleet started on the 2nd attempt, with Chay & Stirling Taylor (Burnham SC) taking the win from Rob and Emma Loveridge (Draycote Water). Silver fleet was won by Crispin Beaumont and Edward Higson (Bartley SC) with the back markers affected by a right wind shift.

The Race Officer moved the committee boat and reset the course. The wind dropped further now only 4 – 5 knots, with all sailors sitting in the bottom of their boats. Gold fleet got away clear and this time it was Rob and Emma leading by the finish, after a race of 'snakes and ladders'; 2nd to cross the line was Craig and Duncan Hepplewhite (Loch Lomond SC). In silver fleet Josh Belben and Chloe Barr 9Stokes Bay/ Hillhead) took the win as the wind dropped to a drifter.

Racing was abandoned for the day giving the 29er Ovington boats Inlands title to Mimi and Ben; 2nd Rob and Emma; 3rd Charlie & Lauren. Silver was won by Crispin & Edward; 2nd Thomas Johnson and Flynn Davies; 3rd Cameron Webber and Tom Sully.

The Ladies trophy went to Lauren and Charlie with Ruth Allan and Alice Masterman in 2nd; 3rd Jane Furness and Molly Brown.

Top Juniors were James Grummett and Daniel Budden; 2nd Nick Robbins and Sam Grade; 3rd Hannah Bristow and Will Ward.

Overall Results: