Albacore Inland Championship at South Cerney Sailing Club
by Mike Banner 21 May 2015 07:57 BST
2-3 May 2015
Close racing during the Albacore Inlands at South Cerney © Paul Kimmens
Fourteen albacores, including many returning from the Florida Internationals, converged on South Cerney SC near Cirencester for the 2015 Inland Championships. The wind stayed fairly strong throughout the two-day event and there was the usual 'master chef' meal prepared by Pam Weeks on the Saturday night washed down by the customary beer and wine.
Judy and Paul Armstrong (8209 Scaling Dam) arrived to defend their sixth consecutive Inlands title and did not disappoint winning four of the six races and retaining the silverware with one to spare. Closest boat to them was Nev Herbert and Mark Fowler (8192 Lymington) who won races 5 & 6.
Behind the top two racing was tight in the chasing pack with plenty of place changes and tactical battles. Third place was taken by the young giant of Mathew Metcalfe-Smith crewed by Steve Green (8158 Sutton in Ashfield). Of particular note was top South Cerney boat of Jean and Derek Simmonds returning after a three year break to claim 5th overall.
Before the meal on the Saturday night the fleet enjoyed a top notch six-car Scalectrix racing contest which turned out to be almost as competitive as the on the water battles.
At the prize giving Club Vice Commodore and OOD Paul Kimmens commended the fleet on well-disciplined starts and overall winners Judy& Paul gave the customary thanks to all involved.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 8209 | Judy Armstrong | Paul Armstrong | Scaling Dam | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | | 4 |
| 2nd | 8192 | Neville Herbert | Mark Fowler | Royal Lymington | ‑4 | ‑2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 3rd | 8158 | Matthew Metcalfe Smith | Steve Green | Sutton in Ashfield | 2 | ‑5 | 4 | (DNF) | 5 | 2 | 13 |
| 4th | 8213 | John Woffinden | Rob Blois | Maidenhead | 3 | ‑7 | 3 | ‑5 | 3 | 4 | 13 |
| 5th | 6439 | Jean Simmons | Derek Simmons | South Cerney SC | ‑8 | 3 | ‑7 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| 6th | 8069 | Barry Wicks | Hannah Duncan | Maidenhead | 5 | ‑6 | 5 | ‑6 | 4 | 5 | 19 |
| 7th | 8133 | Mike Banner | Alison Hall | Leigh & Lowton | ‑9 | 4 | 6 | 3 | (DNF) | 7 | 20 |
| 8th | 8072 | Iain Stone | Enrique Mena | Maidenhead | 7 | 8 | ‑10 | ‑9 | 7 | 3 | 25 |
| 9th | 8129 | Phil Tindell | Roy Box | Maidenhead | 6 | 9 | 8 | ‑10 | ‑10 | 8 | 31 |
| 10th | 8156 | Andrew Turberfield | Marion Turberfield | West Oxford | ‑11 | ‑11 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 34 |
| 11th | 7508 | Dave Whittle | Jackie Vale | South Cerney SC | ‑12 | ‑12 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 37 |
| 12th | 8152 | Phil Smith | Tom Williams | RYA | 10 | 10 | (DSQ) | 11 | (DNF) | | 46 |
| 13th | 7525 | Andy Pearce | Rhona Blagdon | | ‑13 | ‑13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 46 |
| 14th | 8154 | Hazel Smith | Andrew Smith | TC SC | 14 | 14 | | (DNF) | | | 58 |