Blaze Open at Burghfield Sailing Club

Ben Pickering during the Blaze Open at Burghfield © Mike Proven

Rob Jones during the Blaze Open at Burghfield © Mike Proven

Myles Mence during the Blaze Open at Burghfield © Mike Proven

The 2015 Blaze Open meeting season kicked off with the Burghfield Open on the breezy weekend of 11/12th April. Despite the 'tough' forecast 24 still braved it, with a number opting for the smaller 'Fire' option rig. More brave guests still did however get to try the boat in the 'gaps' between races but perhaps sensibly decided to skip the actual racing (!) and very nearly all managed to return to shore relatively dry as well. There were even a couple of used boats sold to 'newbies' over the weekend.'

On the first beat of the first race on Saturday, 2014 eighteen year old National and Inlands champion Ben Pickering found himself holding a tiller extension of two parts. Far from quick, so a trip to shore for running repairs left Rob Jones clear to the finish, chased by locals Mike Bell and David Angwin. Visitor Myles Mence from Lymington was also going well in the mix.

The second race was a sort of repeat of the first, but this time it was Rob Jones who broke his tiller extension. Well stuff happens – and the weather on this weekend was fully intending to make its mark. Cruel but fair ? Ben sailed to take the race with consistent local Mike Bell in second and another BSC regular Simon Beddows in third.

Mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Myles, who was last seen capsizing at high-speed at the leeward mark and was presumed to have been abducted by aliens (or who might just have had gear failure - Ed). If anyone finds him, please return him to the Blaze class, as we did miss him (see pics.)

Race three saw a battle between Ben and Rob who both finished continue – this time both with complete tiller extensions and Jones made it two firsts to end the day. Again they were trailed home by Mike Bell. By this late in proceedings even the brave were wondering just how much was really good for them in the increasing breeze. Not for the meek, timid or mild this one.

The fleet repaired to the clubhouse for much beer and chilli and to hear the sea sailors to puzzle over how the wind direction can change by 20+ degrees so many times and on every single leg... (Answer - Nobody really knows but a lot of 'theory' accompanied the beer... as usual)

Sunday and an early start, as the racing was interleaved with the club races. The wind was forecast to rise during the day and it surely did managing to produce even more wild shifts and gusty conditions than the day previously in Race 4. First start of the day saw Rob Jones sail back over the start line, believing that he had been over at the start (Look for the flag next time Rob... you were judged 'innocent' !). This allowed Ben Pickering to sail clean away, chased by locals David Angwin and Pete Barlow. By the end of this race, conditions had deteriorated further, but there was a good war of attrition for 5th between locals Simon Beddows, Mike Bell, David Smith (normally a Laser sailor) and Martin Preston plus Paignton's Nick Ripley - a battle which Mr Beddows eventually won. (The Fire contingent finished in yet another squall up in the mid 30's and decided after all the morning excitement that enough was really enough retiring to the club balcony for the rest of the day – and very sensibly indeed some might say).

Blaze Open at Burghfield - photo © Mike Proven

The worst of the wind was done and it moderated – well very slightly or perhaps the fleet was almost beyond caring by now. After the final break the fleet was progressively thinning out. Wear and tear on crews rather than boats was the cause and only about 10 made the last start. The days wind was nevertheless still described as 'extremely challenging' overall and judging by the number of other Club racers now remaining on the water for their own programme this was no exaggeration.

Well to the climax of the meeting. As is occasionally apt the event meeting winner was decided in the last few metres of the very last race. One moment it looked like ex- champion Rob Jones had it and the next tack the young current champion Ben Pickering. The wind threw the casting vote as seemed it was bound to do and Rob was dealt a cruel header on his last tack to the line. Now you have to be lucky in this game, as in much else in life, and this time Lady Luck opened the door for Ben Pickering to take the race.. and the meeting.

More Mike Proven photos from the Blaze open can be found here.

The Blazes and Fires are next heading for POSH next month in Paignton – Sun, waves and hopefully a healthy but more regular breeze will do rather nicely...

Overall Results: