Crewsaver Tipsy Icicle Series at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club - Week 10
by Paul Heath 10 Mar 2015 09:29 GMT
8 March 2015
It had been a long time in coming but it was worth the wait as for the first time in the series a true westerly breeze straight down the Flash allowed the PRO to utilise the full length of the water, and in the process bring a big smile to the asymmetric fleet, as he set a long beat with plenty of off wind legs AND a windward/leeward course for the asymmetrics.
After an initial pre-start downpour the sun decided to put in an appearance and a steadily increasing breeze coaxed 81 boats onto the water for the penultimate weekend of the Crewsaver sponsored Tipsy Icicle series at Leigh & Lowton sailing club at Pennington Flash.
During the first race the average wind speed was 9 knots with a gust of 11 knots recorded.
In the 20 strong Laser fleet the top two helms in the series had the front of the fleet to themselves and it was leader Mark Lunn (LLSC) who kept his nearest rival Graham McWhirter (UKLA) just where he wanted him to take the win. Behind them Gareth Staple Jones (LLSC) finished third and Stuart Belfield (LLSC) fourth.
Second fleet away was the 26 boat handicap fleet which included 17 Solos (the results of which are taken separately from the handicap finish) In the main fleet it was new to the series, and new Leigh & Lowton member, Andy Couch in his Phantom that sailed a faultless race to take the bullet on corrected time from series leaders Alex Morrison/Steve White (LLSC – X1) Third went to the 420 of Mark Platt/Emma McCluskey (LLSC) who maintain their late charge for a top three overall finish in the series while fourth, and recording his worst result in the series to date, was Alex Collins (LLSC – Supernova).
In the Solos series leader Paul Heath (LLSC) took an early lead which he held until the last windward mark before being overtaken by new to the series, and another new Leigh & Lowton member, Andy Friar. Friar then proceeded to pull away downwind and took a comfortable win while Heath was left looking over his shoulder at a fast approaching Phil Barnes (Budworth SC) and Ian Hopwood (soon to be LLSC?) and this was the order at the finish.
It was an RS400 day in the 16 boat Asymmetric fleet as they filled the top four positions in both races. Series leader Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman (Delph SC) took another early lead and sailed off to take the win. Second home was Richard Catchpole/Gary Coop (LLSC) third Martin/Liam Parker (LLSC) and fourth Robin Dawson/Phil Davenport (Bassenthwaite SC)
Last away was the 19 boat junior fleet. Series leader Samuel Cooper (WLYC – Topper) took yet another win to cement his position at the top of the series board. The next three positions were taken by Optimists as Harvey Leigh (LLSC) finished second, Luke Stewart (Kielder Water SC) third and Sian Talbot (LLSC) fourth.
During lunch the wind continued to blow from the west and by the start of the second race it had increased to an average of 16 knots with gusts of 21 knots recorded which made for what many later described as the best race of the series.
The Laser fleet had a new race winner as new to the series Jack Hopkins (Delph SC) enjoyed the big breeze and sailed away from the rest of the fleet. Behind him Belfield (LLSC), continuing his recent good form, finished second to climb into third overall in the series. McWhirter and Lunn continued their personal dual just behind the top two and on this occasion McWhirter took third and Lunn fourth.
Couch took an early lead in the handicap fleet but at the gybe mark decided to closely acquaint himself with the water of his new club with capsize. He recovered from this but suffered and could only finish second on corrected time to Collins. Platt/McCluskey took another third and Mark Dingsdale (LLSC – Phantom) was fourth.
With the wind gusting the top end of a Force 5 it was 'Oppy weather' as Hopwood powered up the beat and was first Solo round the windward mark and he held that position to the end. Behind him there was a battle between the top two in the series, Patrick Hamilton (Burwain SC) and Heath. Both had a go in second place but Hamilton finished there while Heath crossed the finish line to silence due to being OCS. Third went to Barnes and fourth to Friar who during the race, like Couch, also christened his new membership with a swim.
Another windward/leeward for the asymmetrics and another win for Pickles/Sharman. Dawson/Davenport moved up a gear and came home in second. The Parkers had a close 'nip and tuck' race with Catchpole/Coop but lost out to them and had to settle for fourth which helps Catchpole/Coops late charge for third in the series.
In the junior fleet the top two battled it out but this time Toby Cope (Rudyard SC – Topper) came out on top and Cooper had to settle for second. Behind them the Optimist of Leigh and the Topper of new to the series Rebecca Berry (Chester SC) could not be separated on corrected so shared the points while fifth was Ben Russell (Kielder Water SC – Optimist)
Next weekend is the final weekend of the series. The long range forecast at this time shows a good Force 3 from the east so, whether you are in with a chance of a prize or just want to take part for the first time in the Crewsaver Tipsy Icicle series come along and experience it for yourself.
Photo album of the day can be found on Facebook and the full results are on the club website.