Firefly Match Racing at South Staffordshire Sailing Club
by Keith Macaulay 11 Nov 2014 07:41 GMT
8 November 2014
Despite the grim forecast 14 teams assembled on Saturday 8th November at South Staffs Sailing Club. Having been inspired by the America's Cup, the Club chose a match racing event for the Firefly Open Meeting this year. With the prospect of close racing in South Staff's fleet of 8 matched boats a number of sailors from other fleets joined visitors from West Kirby and home Firefly sailors.
The event was run using a Swiss League format resulting in most races being against sailors of a similar ability. This kept it close for most of the matches and ensured that everyone had a good days sailing, and won at least 1 race.
The rain stopped mid-morning and the wind was perfect for match racing.
The OD Rob Hicklin and his team did a great job to keep things moving through the day and managed 49 races, giving each of us 7 matches.
The course was the standard team racing 'inverted S' and with such short races mistakes were very costly.
James Goss and his crew Emma Markley (SSSC)sailed a flawless series, winning every match and went home deserving winners of the Calf Heath Trophy. Behind them 4 teams were tied on 5 wins, one team on 4 wins and another 4 teams tied on 3 wins. Most of the tie breaks were based on who beat who in the matches where they met, with the others based on how many 'top' competitors a team sailed against.
Ross Kearney with crew Nicola Booth (SSSC) came out best of the teams with 5 wins, followed by Octavia Owen and Ruby Riggs (West Kirby) in third overall, and first under 16 team.
It was a great day's racing in a new format for South Staffs and one we will repeat next year.
Overall Results:
1 James Goss & Emma Markley
2 Ross Kearney & Nicola Booth
3 Octavia Owen & Ruby Riggs
4 Alex Colquitt & Hollie Marston
5 John & Sue Billington
6 Chris White & various crews
7 Chris Warburton & Lara White
8 Keith & Chloe Macaulay
9 Thomas James & Hebe Hemming
10 Martin Warburton & various crews
11 Nick Brandon & Lisa Carpenter
12 Kamila Czartolomna & Vicky Ford
13 Steve Troke & Aga Czartolomna
14 Mike Warbrick & Nial Toolan