Miracle Open at Girton Sailing Club
by Gillan Gibson 14 Jul 2015 07:53 BST
6-7 June 2015
Girton Miracle Open © Kenneth Gibson
Nine Miracles took part in Girton's open which saw plenty of sun all weekend.
Saturday came in windy, very windy, Force 4-5 and often a steady Force 6 – and gusty with it. The first start was delayed in the hope of less wind, but the time came and 6 of the 8 boats there launched. It was challenging sailing with most boats capsizing at some point. One boat managed a dry capsize when Graham Watts made it to the centreboard and had their Miracle up amazingly fast. But it was a race and Phil and Helen Bailey took command of the situation and crossed the finish first.
It was decided to postpone the second race until the Sunday morning when less wind was forecast. The fleet packed up and retired to the clubhouse for an excellent meal and good conservation.
Sunday dawned early with a 10.30 start for race 2, with an additional crew in Wayne Atherton & Angela Sweeney. In moderate winds the fleet set off and soon divided into 2 with Phil & Helen Bailey, Tracy Amos & Gemma Gibson, David & Michelle Raines and Wayne Atherton & Angela Sweeney swopping places in the front followed a short distance behind by David & Jean Reed, Brian Jones & John Green and Graham Watts and Helen Jacks all swopping place as well. Again it was the Baileys who came out on top, a situation they repeated in races 3 and 4.
As the day went on the wind slowly dropped and with only occasional windy patches the fleet started to fly their spinnakers and it was interesting to see the losses and gains which could be made.
In the end it was Phil and Helen Bailey who took the series and thanked Girton, on behalf of all the competitors, for an excellent weekend.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm & Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 3825 | Phil & Helen Bailey | Hunts | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| 2 | 3740 | David & Michelle Raines | Leigh & Lowton | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | 3383 | Wayne Atherton & Angela Sweeny | Delph | DNC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 4 | 4040 | Tracy Amos & Gemma Gibson | Redoubt | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 5 | 3840 | Graham Watts & Helen Jacks | Staunton Harold | 4 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 4021 | Brian Jones &John Green | Maidenhead | DNF | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 15 |
| 7 | 4020 | John Tippett & Kathy Boulton | Draycote | DNF | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| 8 | 4052 | Dave & Jean Reed | Girton | DNC | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 21 |
| 9 | 3670 | Gillian & Ken Gibson | Thornton Steward | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 50 |