Comet Open at Attenborough Sailing Club

Ian Coppenhall wins the Comet Open at Attenborough SC © Roger Day

19 boats representing 9 clubs took to the water in light shifting winds.

The first race was a triangle, sausage set using the centre of the lake to avoid dead areas close to the bank. The fleet got away cleanly and it was not long before the leaders started to pull away from the bulk of the fleet. Ian Coppenhall from Hunts SC was soon at the front and stayed there throughout the three lap race. Eddie Pope from Ogston SC stayed close for the first two laps but during lap 3 slipped to third whilst Mark Coppenhall from Seven SC gradually made his way from fourth at the end of lap one to second place at the end.

For race 2 the wind had filled in and the OOD used more of the lake. Two boats, including Ian Coppenhall misjudged the start and were over and had to return. This allowed Eddie Pope to gain a significant lead which was never challenged. Ian managed to come through the fleet to take second place by the end of lap one and stayed there to the end. Paul Jago from the local club came through in third place.

Race three started in winds of approximately 6 to 8 mph. The fleet got away cleanly with everyone taking a cautious approach to the line but soon Ian Coppenhall and Eddie Pope pulled away and had a race of their own with each of them covering the other at some stage throughout the race. Further back Henry Jaggers from Beer SC pulled clear to maintain third place throughout the race. Further down the pack positions frequently changed as the wind faded towards the end of the race.

Overall Results: