Sprint 15 Winter TT at Draycote Water Sailing Club

by Pete Slater 12 Jan 2014 20:45 GMT 11 January 2014

Eleven Sprint 15's from Draycote combined with 15 Travellers produced a record turnout of 26 boats for the Draycote Water Sprint 15 winter TT on Saturday 11 January.

The weather was particularly kind with bright sunshine and a good westerly wind of up to 15mph producing competitive racing all the way round the square course.

In an unusual move the Race Officer anchored the committee boat at the port end of the start line but the Sprint 15 fleet are an adaptable bunch and the first race got away cleanly after some initial confusion.

The fleet split evenly up both sides of the beat and on each lap the starboard side near the shore could produce an advantageous lift but with the risk of less wind – as the race progressed no side produced a clear advantage.

The usual suspects of Stuart Snell, Paul Grattage and Thomas Sandal competed for line honours at the front of the fleet but further down the rankings local sailors were having their own battles.

Newcomer Stu McBeath came 4rd within the home fleet beating Arch Rivals such as Derek James and Jan Elfing who was still suffering after celebrating his glorious victory in the Draycote Water New Years Day pursuit race.

Draycote Sailor Henry Hunt came 20th overall in his first event using his fathers boat. Henry was so impressed with the experience he bought his own Sprint 15 immediately after the race! Local novice Tim Hill also took part in his first event and wasn't too far behind even with broken battens to contend with.

After two races the first two positions ended up tied on points between Paul Grattage and Stuart Snell but overall victory ended up with Stuart Snell after adding the times for each race.

Many congratulations once again to Stuart and thanks to all the people who made a tremendous effort travelling to the event even from far flung places such as the south coast and the Isle of Wight.

Next event Datchet sailing club on 8th Feb.

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat	Helm	Club	Pts
1	2016	Stuart Snell	Grafham Water SC	3
2	458	Paul Grattage		3
3	1982	Thomas Sandal	GWSC	8
4	1627	Pete Slater	Draycote	8
5	1267	Paul Craft	Worthing	15
6	1733	Steve Sawford	Grafham	15
7	1940	Ed Tuite Dalton	Draycote	16
8	1838	Robert Finch	Stewartby	17
9	1714	David Groom	Netley	18
10	1957	Liam Thom	Shanklin Sailing Club	20
11	1231	John Finch	Stewartby	20
12	1351	Robert England		21
13	1715	Roger Ackroyd	Witham	23
14	2007	Erling Holmberc	Shanklin Sailing Club	27
15	1941	Martin Smith	Draycote	30
16	2004	Gordon Goldstone	Queen Mary	32
17	1289	Andy Bunyard	Stewartby	35
18	1613	Stu McBeath	Draycote	36
19	1736	Bill Hurr	Draycote	38
20	1515	Henry Hunt	Draycote	39
21	1913	Jan Elfring	Draycote	40
22	1744	Derek James	Draycote	45
23	1939	Ian Hope	Draycote	45
24	1756	Phil Warner	Draycote	48
25	1970	Simon Hare	Oxford	49
26	198	Tim Hill	Draycote	51