Hornet Open at Weston Sailing Club
by Dave Edge 28 Sep 2014 11:04 BST
20-21 September 2014
Weston Sailing Club was the venue for the last Hornet open meeting of the season. Three home boats were supplemented by four travellers with special mention to Kevin Burt and Barry Miller making the epic journey of 1.5 miles all the way from Netley SC.
Light and shifting offshore winds were a challenge for race officer and sailor alike with visitors watching the local sailors for any clues as to strategy up wind. The local sailors responded by performing whatever random manoeuvre popped into their heads at the time. However, there must have been more than blind luck involved as Toby and Andy posted two bullets from two races at the end of the first day. Something about finding pressure and keeping your pole down. A 3rd place from the notorious East Coast collective, Gary and Tracy, should also be noted. A great result but obviously aided by the un-licenced wind detecting equipment carried above Gary's top lip. Nice 'tash mate!
Time to kickback after the racing with takeaway curry, beer at £1 a pint and semi-competitive games against the Contender and Byte fleets. The Scalextic racing was questionable as the lap counter didn't work but the Frisbee face-off was a conclusive win for the Hornets.
Day 2 was a 9:30 start! Improved winds but still up to 30 degrees shifts. The fight back was underway with Dave and Martin posting 2 firsts narrowly beating Strangler and Matt into second places. Toby saved himself for race 2 which was Weston's Bart's Bash Race. A single start with over 70 boats ranging from a Tornado to a Mirror. A clean getaway was recorded by all (really?) and gaining clean air was imperative. Toby jumped away early from a mid-line position and never looked back. Mid fleet was impressively chaotic with a number of boats coming together and one medical rescue necessary from a back injury. It was all over inside half an hour leaving some slightly bemused.
Overall, 1st and 2nd places were tied on points with the Trophy going to Toby and Andy having recorded three first places as opposed to Dave and Martin's two. Robbed!
A huge thank you to Weston SC for hosting and 50 North for sponsoring.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 2176 | Toby Barsley‑Dale | Andy Hay | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2nd | 2183 | Dave Edge | Martin Arnison | ‑3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 3rd | 2132 | J Williams | Matt McGrath | 4 | ‑5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| 4th | 2182 | Kevin Burt | Barry Miller | 2 | ‑6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 14 |
| 5th | 2101 | Gary Haylett | Tracey Haylett | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | (DNF) | 22 |
| 6th | 2156 | Mike Owen | Josh Arnison | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | (DNC) | 22 |
| 7th | 2185 | Dawn Barsley‑Dale | Simon Evance | 5 | ‑7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 22 |