Miracle Inland Championship at Welton Sailing Club

by Ian Williamsoni 13 Jun 2016 08:47 BST 4-5 June 2016

The welcoming smell of frying bacon wafted through the air as we arrived at Welton Sailing Club on Saturday morning. Gradually more and more people arrived and eventually there were 11 boats ready to race.

The wind was light and fickle for the first race. Everyone must have been so keen to get started that several boats were over the line before the start signal resulting in a general recall. After that everyone behaved themselves for the rest of the weekend. The first leg varied from a beat to a reach and back again. Graham Watts and Helen Jacks (38 - Staunton Harold SC) was in the lead at the end of the first lap, a lead he held on to to the end of the race. Second was Ben Williamson and Hannah Wharram (4009 – Welton SC) and third was Richard and Todd Brameld (3131 – Welton SC).

Lunch of pizza, chips and salad followed by strawberry meringue was much appreciated by all who partook.

The wind steadied a bit for race 2 and an Olympic course was set. Once again Graham and Helen took and maintained the lead, followed by Dave Butler and Emily Clixby (4060 – Welton SC) and Jon and Philpp Aldhous (3794 – Beaver SC).

Many people then retired to a local hostelry for an evening meal and camping for the night, arranged by Dave Butler.

The wind again was fickle for the first race on Sunday. A change in fortunes saw Richard and Max Wharram (4045 – Welton SC) lead the fleet all the way round and finish in first place. Second was Dave Butloer and Emily Clixby (4060 – Welton SC) and third was Dave Smith and Giles Therkelson-Smith (4031 – Welton SC).

After another wonderful lunch of chicken chasseur followed by fruit crumble or pie the wind had settled in to an easterly and picked up a little in strength. Races 4 and 5 followed a figure of eight course with two good beats and two good spinnaker reaches, a wonderful sight to see on the water. Jon and Phillip (3794 – Beaver SC) led throughout race 4 to a convincing victory with Ben and Hannah (4009 – Welton SC) second and Dave Butler (4060 – Welton SC) third.

In race 5 Ben and Hannah (4009 – Welton SC) took the lead for both laps and finished first, followed by Jon and Rachel Willars (3508 – Welton SC) in second place, just beating by a bosun's whisker Jon and Phillip (3794 – Beaver SC) who finished third.

The overall winners for the weekend were Ben Williamson and Hannah Wharram (4009 – Welton SC) with Graham Watts and Helen Jacks (38 - Staunton Harold SC) in second place and Jon and Phillip Aldhous (3794 – Beaver SC) in third.

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm & Crew	Club	Sail No	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Pts
1	Ben Williamson & Hannah Wharram	Welton	4009	2	6	6	2	1	5
2	Graham Watts & Helen Jacks	Staunton Harold	3813	1	1	10	5	7	7
3	Jon & Phillip Aldhous	Beaver	3794	4	3	8	1	3	7
4	Dave Butler & Emily Clixby	Welton	4060	5	2	2	3	4	7
5	Jon & Rachel Willars	Welton	4024	9	4	9	4	2	10
6	Richard & Todd Brameld	Welton	3131	3	5	7	6	5	13
7	Richard & Max Wharram	Welton	4045	7	12	1	9	13	17
8	Louis Moulden & Gillan Gibson	Delph	4100	6	8	4	8	13	18
9	Simon Reddecliffe & Mark Atherton	Delph	4007	8	7	8	7	6	20
10	Dave Smith & Giles Therkelson‑Smith	Welton	4031	DNS	DNS	3	11	13	27
11	David & Jean Reed	Girton	4052	11	9	11	10	8	27
12	Stan Lubner & Lianne Therkelson	Welton	4066	10	12	12	12	13	34