Ripon Sailing Club New Year's Day Whiskey Stakes
by Fiona Spence 2 Jan 2018 04:44 GMT
1 January 2018
Ripon SC New Year's Day Whiskey Stakes © Gail Jackson
Over 20 Ripon boats enjoyed 2 back to back races on New Year's Day in the traditional Whiskey Stakes. Mike Eggleston in his Streaker triumphed over James & Susan Rickets in their RS200 and Richard Pryke's Solo.
Good racing was also enjoyed further down the fleet with the Streakers helmed by Chris Wright & Peter Robinson battling Terry & Barbara Spence in their RS200 and Andy Hague (Str) having a good tussle with Colin Mather (Solo) and Richard Oliver (Laser).
Conditions were light and shifty and gave Alison, Emma & Tim Hampshire, who had kindly volunteered to run the racing, a few headaches setting the course.
The Youth & Junior sailors were also represented with Christopher Hampshire in his Optimist showing the RS Teras of Tom Bates, William Bailey & George Spence how to sail fast in light conditions.
Once the boats were all put away the Whiskey was shared out by Mike Eggleston, per tradition dating back to the founding of the club. Although we have to confess the rather large bottle the Sailing Secretary had purchased wasn't drunk dry, and will be making a second round at the annual dinner in a few weeks!