Ullswater Yacht Club Skiff Event
by Sue Giles 29 Apr 2014 15:51 BST
26-27 April 2014
Eleven Musto Skiffs battled it out over eight tricky races at Ullswater Yacht Club's Skiff Event on April 26 and 27. Entries also included a handicap Skiff fleet of 49ers, 29ers and RS800s.
Despite the challenging North-easterly and South-easterly winds over the weekend, race officer John Robson and his team managed to run four windward/leeward races on Saturday and four on Sunday.
The Musto Skiffs had entries from all over the North and the winning boat was not decided until the final race. First overall was veteran helm Ian Trotter from Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club who managed to beat the 'youngsters' despite winning just one race. It was his consistency, counting five seconds, that won him top place with 11 points.
In second place, on 13 points, was fellow DRSC member Alastair Conn, who clocked up four first places, two on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Third, and first Ullswater Yacht Club boat, was Jono Shelley, who also won one race and was the overnight leader. A broker tiller extension in the final race spoiled his chances.
The handicap fleet was won by local helm, Lester Noble crewed by John McAfee in a 49er with Anne Noble and Emily Stiles of UYC in a 29er, second.
Saturday's wind conditions, a South-easterly were particularly difficult for course-setting and there were many place changes in the gusty winds. Race one, which was won by Ian Trotter in the Musto Skiffs and Anne Noble and Emily Stiles in the handicap fleet, was held off the point near to the club. With fluctuating winds, the course was moved northwards where three more races were held as the sun came out.
On Sunday, the wind was stronger than expected and more Northerly, giving the opportunity to set good windward/leeward courses up and down the lake and competitors enjoyed four closely-fought races.
Commodore John Spivey did the honours at the prizegiving and thanks go to Neil Pryde and Orange Mountain Bikes for contributing to the prizes.
The countdown has already begun to UYC's biggest event of the year, the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy on the weekend of July 5 and 6.
UYC is on the North-east shore of the lake about two miles from Pooley Bridge on the Howtown road. For more information ring 017684 86333, or visit www.ullswateryachtclub.org