Squib Class at the Waldringfield Easter Egg Regatta
by Peter Greatrex 21 Apr 2014 21:40 BST
18-19 April 2014
David White in Squib 'Easy' (83) leads the first race away into a stiff North Easterly during the Waldringfield Easter Egg © Alexis Smith
'Easy' wins Easter Egg at Waldringfield, but it wasn't a breeze
Seven Squibs gathered to contest 6 races over two days in fresh and cold North and North Easterly winds on the River Deben in Suffolk, as part of the Waldringfield Easter Egg Regatta on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. They were not lonely as they were joined by over 90 dinghies in classes ranging in size from Cadets to Wayfarers using similar and some times the same courses.
The Squib fleet split into more or less two groups ensuring closely fought racing for all. "Easy" (83) David White crewed by son Alex (Felixstowe FerrySC), "Artemis" (36) Andy Moore and Pete Hallinan (FFSC) and "Ariel" (141) William Suddell and Jo Mc Cardle(WSC) duelled for the first three places for most of the races. A bit further back Mr Grumpy (721), David Moon and Steve Condie (WSC), Barry Searle and Fiona Baker (WSC) in their 'new' boat "Ignite" (468) and Gunpowder Gertie (763) Pete and Jenn Greatrex, also (WSC) fought close battles for the second half of the fleet. "Ruby" (40) David Cannell and David Craig (WSC) performed well in the long first race to secure a third place as the first WSC boat, behind the " Ferry Boys", but a head injury to crew David Craig forced their retirement from the all the other races.
"Easy" was the overall winner, but had to fight off well executed challenges from "Ariel" and "Artemis". Ariel made two particularly "sprightly " starts in the six race series to lead "Easy" for long periods, but hard work by "Easy" gradually and persistently won those two races and the event.
"Artemis" was always hunting for "Easy" and "Ariel" and did get "Easy" in her sights with one win and a string of seconds, some literally by seconds.
"Easy" recorded 5 wins to take the Easter Egg Trophy. "Artemis" came second with 1 win and
4 seconds. Ariel took 3rd place and first WSC boat with 1 second and 4 thirds. The first three boats also took away chocolate Easter Eggs to celebrate their success.
"Mr Grumpy" was 4th, and "Gunpowder Gertie" 5th, "Ignite" was 6th and "Ruby 7th". An excellent if somewhat boisterous start to the season.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 83 | DAVID WHITE | ALEX WHITE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2nd | 36 | ANDY MOORE | PETER HALLINAN | 2 | 2 | 2 | ‑3 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 3rd | 141 | WILLIAM SUDELL | JO MCARDLE | ‑4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| 4th | 00) | DAVID MOON | STEVE CONDIE | ‑5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 23 |
| 5th | 763 | PETER GREATREX | JEN GREATREX | 6 | (DNF) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 25 |
| 6th | 468 | BARRY SEARLE | FIONA BAKER | ‑7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 27 |
| 7th | 40 | DAVID CANNELL | DAVID CRAIG | 3 | (DNF) | DNS | DNS | DNS | DNS | 35 |