Midlands Windsurfing Open at Hollowell Sailing Club
by Robin Buxton 2 Apr 2015 08:30 BST
28 March 2015
Midlands Windsurfing Open at Hollowell © Stewart Elder
It was a very challenging day for all at the Midlands Windsurfing Open at Hollowell Sailing Club last weekend. Gusts of 35 knots greeted visitors and members from the outset.
The day got off to a confusing start with most competitors under-estimating the westerly wind. Although shore conditions seemed calm, as they all made their way to the start line it became apparent the wind was shifty and gusting to the 35 knots forecast. As the countdown to the first race started the wind arrived right on cue, resulting in half the fleet missing the first start after being over-powered by the huge gusts.
The first two back to back races in the morning were spectacular to watch as the fleet clocked 25 knots, on the reach from the Dam mark to the Guilsborough mark. In fact the rib safety boat leading the fleet around the first lap couldn't match the pace of the lead boards. It was much the same in the afternoon as the winds increased to 40 knots, but all competitors seemed to be up for the challenge.
The SEAVETS positions were hard fought with Hollowell's Mike Playe taking first place overall in the SEAVETS classification. Playle correctly recognised what the conditions would be like on the day and started the day with a change down sail. Roger Marsh took second and then Steve Fletcher came in third out of only four entries for the SEAVETS. Many SEAVETS chose to stay at home, presumably because of the strong winds forecast.
Commenting afterwards, Mike Playle remarked "Changing down the sails in the morning allowed me to compete in the morning, as I just needed to survive to win the SEAVETS. I am still feeling the effects of a bike accident I had last year, so I changed down again after lunch. This meant that my sail area was nearly down to half that of the leaders, but I was still fully powered up in the gusts!
The Midlands Windsurfing Open at Hollowell was won by Mark Kay (current inland champion) and second was Lewis Barnes (Barnt Green). Hollowell's very own super junior, Robin McAlistar made it into to 3rd, after a great performance in the afternoon races.