Blithfield Barrel 2014-15 - Round 2
by Chris Martin 15 Dec 2014 20:28 GMT
14 December 2014
Chris Gould and Nick Broomhill win the day's race in the Blithfield Barrel 2014-15 round 2 © Don Stokes
After the fog and light winds that plagued the first round, the forecast for Sunday was the total opposite with gusts of up to 36kts predicted slap bang in the middle of racing! Happily 47 boats travelled to the club and found a very pleasant force three to four from the south and it really wasn't all that cold either.
The first start got away cleanly, the breeze clocking round slightly just before the start massively favoured the left hand side and that's exactly where the leaders at the first mark came from, though the port tack approach may have been a bit hair-raising for a few!
Chris Gould and Nick Broomhall lead at the windward mark and rapidly pulled out an unassailable lead in their Osprey. A group of Merlins Rockets battled it out behind them, with the teams of Matt Biggs/John Hackett and Rob Kennaugh/Abi Spurr breaking through Andy Davies/Ian Smith and Simon Potts/Luke Shaw on the last lap.
The breeze had increased slightly to a more solid force four for the second race, and had resettled back in the south. A minor course change and adjustment to the line was required. This time the Z flag caught out a number of teams. Again left paid and Chris Gould and Nick Broomhall led around the first mark and started to pull away. This time they did not get out far enough, and after surrendering third place in the last lap in the previous race a determined charge from Simon Potts and Luke Shaw was enough to take the race. Andy Davis and Ian Smith also made no mistakes this time to take third.
Thanks to our sponsors for this weekend, Dinghytec and Freedom Brewery. Thanks also to everyone who helped to run the event, especially the race team and the galley team. Thanks also to all the visitors.
Going into round three we see the Osprey of Chris and Nick in first and looking like they are building a strong lead. What will January bring? Come back on the 11th to find out!