Third 'Get Racing' session at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Sunday 6th July saw the third Get Racing session at Draycote Water Sailing Club for Novices & Juniors. These sessions are designed to introduce people to club racing in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than can sometimes be seen in Draycote's ultra-competitive fleets.

Normal organisers, Elizabeth & Tim Fillmore, were otherwise occupied at the 2000 Class' inland championships, so it fell to Jeremy Atkins & Nigel Pybus to provide the briefing and instruction.

This month's session saw the best attendance yet, with 13 boats, ranging from 2 Teras to an RS400, all eager to learn more about racing. Following a briefing which explained the starting procedure, course and basic rules, the fleet launched for their start after the other fleets had started.

They were accompanied around the course by two coach boats who provided some advice on the water and more afterwards on-shore.

All 13 boats completed the course, with the results dominated by the Guppy family who started sailing a couple of years ago. Eldest son, Sam, won the race in his Laser 4.7; Dad Andy, was second in his Laser; youngest son, Luke, was third in his Topper. Mum, Heather, finished 9th in her Laser Radial.

The attractions of the Grand Prix and Wimbledon finals reduced the fleet in the afternoon to just 4 boats, but it was really gratifying to see the transformations from the morning. Most notably Warren Yates and Richard Knight in the Wayfarer were sailing so much better after a few helpful words over lunch from coach Nigel Pybus. They were even beating the RS400 up wind, which is no mean achievement in a Wayfarer! Also Phoebe Jones did much better in the afternoon and was on the tail of Katie Byne who won the afternoon race in her Tera - Phoebe second and Warren and Richard third.

The next Get Racing @ Draycote will be on Sunday 3rd August.