Graduate National Championship at Chipstead Sailing Club - Day 1
by Alistair Roaf 24 May 2015 08:32 BST
23-25 May 2015
On Saturday 23rd May, 26 Graduates from 10 different clubs congregated at Chipstead Sailing Club, in Kent, for their 2015 National Championships.
Day one was to be a gentle introduction to the event with a short practice race and the first main points race. Most people took part in the practice to familiarise themselves with the lake and the force two to four east-northeast wind.
The start of the first scoring race was unusual in that the initial start sequence had to be abandoned due to a dog swimming along the start line, once the doggy paddle was clear the Grads were too keen and a general recall was required. The subsequent black flag start lost a minute in the starting sequence which resulted in that start also being abandoned.
Eventually, the main event got underway with the wind favouring the boats which started at the starboard end of the line. Lots of short tacking followed as the fleet searched for clear air and areas of pressure. After beating three quarters the length of the lake, Andy and Sue Flitcroft, Bolton S.C., were first round the windward mark. Following them were the Chipstead pack of John and Jamie Clementson, Bob and Maggie Murrell, and Liz Stockdale with crew Victoria Ingamells.
At Lap two the Flitcrofts were still leading followed by the Clementsons but with last year's champions Tony and Sam Cooper now in third and brothers Ben and Gabe Hill sailing their brand new Grad in fourth.
Racing continued for another hour with positions changing all the time in the snakes and ladders wind shifts.
Results after Day 1: (top five)
1. 2979, John and Jamie Clementson (Chipstead)
2. 3001, Andy and Sue Flitcroft (Bolton)
3. 2873, Tony and Sam Cooper (King George)
4. 3008, Bob and Maggie Murrell (Chipstead)
5. 3018, Ben and Gabe Hill (West Lancashire)