Albacore Open Meeting at Maidenhead Sailing Club

Albacore Open Meeting at Maidenhead (L to R) Ian Stone, Ellie Gladwyn, Erica Hunter, James Galdwyn, Leo Wilkinson, Julie Maidment, John Woffinden, Chas Frize © Jenni Heward-Craig

Albacore Open Meeting at Maidenhead © Jenni Heward-Craig

It was mature cunning versus youthful exuberance at the Maidenhead Sailing Club's Albacore Open, held on Sunday, April 12 2015. Boats from clubs as far away as Royal Lymington and Hawley Lake joined Maidenhead sailors in a day of sailing that tested both skill and endurance.

Sixteen boats took to the lake in bright sunshine and moderate south-westerly winds – 14mph gusting 30 - making for exhilarating but tough sailing conditions. Attrition started early. After a clear start, the first casualty, 6937 - helmed by Nev Hebert and crewed by Mark Fowler - didn't make the first mark of the course, with its mast snapping just six boat lengths after crossing the start line.

That was the beginning of a testing race, with the rescue crews kept busy as two more boats suffered mast failures, a broken outhaul, failing buoyancy tanks, and 6673 (Barry Wicks and Hannah Duncan) capsizing twice within sight of the finish. The lead boat, 8072 - sailed by Maidenhead Youth and Junior sailors Ian Stone and Leo Wilkinson – having taken the lead in the first lap, won clearly, ahead of Phil Tindall and Roy Box (8129) and John Woffinden and Erica Hunter (8213).

After lunch, a change of wind lead to a minor change of course, to ensure an upwind beat. With a port bias on the ODM, the start was very close, and boats had to tack abruptly to avoid colliding. Ian and Leo took the lead at the first mark, followed closely by Chas Frize and Julie Maidment (8188).

By the next mark, Ian and Leo's lead had opened up significantly, and by the third lap, they were ahead of the rest of the field by half the course, finishing a shortened race comfortably. Second and third was tight, with Chas and Julie (8188) taking second right on the line from John and Erica.

By the third race, exhaustion and damage had taken its toll. Only nine of the original sixteen entrants remained. The championship assured, Ian and Leo sailed a relaxed race, yet were far ahead of the rest by the time the three-lap race was finished. However, the battle was on for the minor honours as 8213, 8188, 8129 and 8152 (RYA's Phil Smith and Tom Williams) were all within two points. By the end, only six boats finished the day, with John and Erica (8213) taking second and Phil and Tom (8152) taking third.

After the results were in, Maidenhead Sailing Club sailors had taken all before them. Ian and Leo were first (aged 17 and 11 years old, respectively). John and Erica's second placing in the final race assured them of second overall, with Chas and Julie finishing third. Silver fleet honours went to James Gladwyn and his daughter Ellie (8061), yet another of Maidenhead's racing juniors.

Overall Results:

Albacore Open Meeting at Maidenhead - photo © Jenni Heward-Craig