Vernon Stratton Memorial Trophy at Bembridge Sailing Club
by Mike Samuelson 31 Mar 2014 13:43 BST
29-30 March 2014
Vernon Stratton Memorial Trophy in Bembridge © Mike Samuelson
In the event, two excellent days of sailing, so it was a bit disappointing that there were so few boats competing for the magnificent Vernon Stratton Memorial Trophy. However with the summer sailing season beginning to focus peoples minds, perhaps not too surprising.
On Saturday, the blustery ESE F4 breeze meant that racing had to be in the harbour - not too much of problem as there are still not too many boats out on the moorings. Race 1 went to James Meaning with Mark Downer never far off in second; Andy Christie had a good race and was third.
Mark got his revenge in the second race and James had to be content with second; third was again Andy.
The last race of the day also went to Mark, but having got a great pin end start, it was Bill Daniels who came second with James third.
The scheduled start on Sunday had to be delayed for over an hour as everyone waited patiently ashore for the forecasted SE F2 breeze to kick in. With the swell gone from the previous day, the course was set up off Silver Beach and although a few adjustments to the buoys had to be made as the morning wore on, conditions were much better than could have been hoped for. The first race of the day went to Mark who managed to keep light wing expert James in second; Jo Downer was third.
In the second race James, having warned that he might have to retire as he had a Mother's Day lunch in Yarmouth to go to, worked his way to the front and stayed on to the finish. Bill Daniels had another good race and came in ahead of Mark. In the final race, the honours went to Jo after a "port tack flyer" and in her words, being allowed to keep out in front of her husband Mark! Bill was third.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Mark Downer | 124 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 2 | James Meaning | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | S | 9 |
| 3 | Bill Daniels | 68 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 15 |
| 4 | Jo Downer | 123 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 16 |
| 5 | Andy Christie | 149 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 19 |
| 6 | Robin Ebsworth | 12 | S | S | S | 5 | 6 | 5 | 30 |
Next Regatta: Saturday & Sunday 12th - 13th April - Spring Plate.