Allen Welling Trophy at Castle Cove Sailing Club
by Rob Smith 20 Jun 2016 18:27 BST
19 June 2016
Mexican madness!
The most colourful, loudest and amusingly distracting CCSC race team were again host for the 2016 edition of the Allen Welling Trophy held on Sunday.
The three amigos: Kev (Francis), Phil and Mike (Male), would have donned their Mexican outfits whatever, but the non-waterproof, multi-coloured, fringed poncho's (sombrero's and all) brightened up what turned out to be a very grey and drizzly long but fun day in Portland harbour.
Despite the BBC weather bit not playing ball, the Windguru bit did, and delivered gradually rising wind strength as we worked our way through the 7 grand prix style short races, over different courses and lengths.
The day started with a certain predictability as Sam Barker crewed by Cara Jones led round most of the windward leeward (easy shape to get us going!) in the red Merlin loaned from Sam Pascoe (off busy winning the POW week). Most felt they were probably fighting for 2nd, but this did not deter Nick Orman in his DOne who was close on their heels, or apparently anyone – as the battle was intense throughout.
As the next triangle and then square course races whizzed by and the drizzle got heavier, everyone were kept on their toes by some super close competition and kept smiling and sugared-up by sweeties being distributed between races from the rear of the committee boat (passed to the brave, thrown to/at the more cautious).
Within the all-in handicap there was a mini-fleet of Lasers, and mini-mini fleets of Ospreys (2!), and Int. Canoe's (2 again). Otherwise this was a mid-speed handicap display which also included Scorpion, Phantom, Contender, Fireball, Enterprise, 505, and RS400.
The on water pattern that emerged was usually Contender, D1 or an Osprey leading round first mark, with the white Int Canoe right there and the Merlin except for the odd optimistic start issue. Proper close battles ensued between these, pursued by the Fireball, Phantom, Scorp and the rest.
In addition to the occasional sweetie distribution, entertainment was perhaps expected from the Canoes. Richard Bowers is rapidly getting to grips with his new-rules machine and provided much more competition and less cheap comedy than previously, however Terry Curtis was good enough to stand-in and provide plenty of the latter in his newly acquired yellow asymmetric. In addition – Rob (Smith) showed off his wooden Contender hull to everyone by effectively adding a big Bonezzi shaped spreader obstacle just past the windward mark!
Despite great work from the amigos and Nick S/team in the mark and rescue boats, it was a long wet day, but as the results show it was testament to the great competition and good fun – that almost everyone toughed it out to fill the 7 race sheet. As the wind increased there was potential that the light Merlin crew might falter, but infact remained on-it right to the end. However, the Contender pushed hard and scored two bullets, and impressively the D1 navigated non-assymetric friendly courses to also win twice but otherwise fill his line with 2nd's. With such short race times no-one really knew who was doing what on handicap, inc wether Emma Bishop might have put her Radial in the mix, or any other combination.
When everyone was recovering, refuelling, and recounting tales, the first result sheet that appeared showed Sam & Cara taking the win by 1 point. However – it was a discard free event, and the recount moved the top honours to Nick in his D1, again by 1 point. Rob was third in his Contender, with Marcus Scrace & John Pym 4th and Mike Street and Tim Bowden 5th – both in Ospreys. Special mention to Lucy Jones (crewing for Sandra) and Emma Bishop – 6th o/a, who both completed a series worth of races in one tiring 5hr day on the water.
Brilliant day's racing, with big thanks to the race team for creating and running a great event (were those cigars actually fake?!).