2000 Training and Open at Whitefriars Sailing Club
by Charles Freeman 14 Apr 2014 21:18 BST
12-13 April 2014
In recent years Whitefriars Sailing Club, on a pleasant lake in the Cotswold Water Park, has regularly hosted a two day 2000 class event in April.
Under a well established format the first day is devoted to training, followed by 3 races on day two. The 2014 Whitefriars Warm Up attracted 13 boats for one part or another of the programme on 12 and 13 April.
The coaching, under the leadership of Helen and Andrew Phillips concentrated on the key performance factors of a good start and upwind speed, with the practice given spice by a stiff and gusty breeze under grey skies. Experts quickly shook out any winter rust while less experienced helms and crews progressed up a rewarding learning curve.
Sunday was blessed by blue skies, warmer temperatures, and a lighter but generally decent wind for racing, albeit with plenty of the shifts and variations that keep inland sailors on their toes.
Racing was dominated by Natalie Roach of the Royal Navy Sailing Association, fully supported by her experienced crew, Alex Pickles; these two took first place in every race. James and Jenny Macgregor of Grafham Water had the consistency to take second place, and last year's winners Jeremy and Susie Boddington (Whitefriars SC) recovered from a poor first race to take third place overall.