Wineglass Southern Areas at Fishers Green Sailing Club

It did not look good at all, mist, not to say fog, greeted a healthy fleet of Wineglass Dinghies at Fishers Green Sailing Club, Waltham Abbey for their Southern area event on Sunday 14th October. However within half an hour a little breeze made it self felt chasing back the mist. By the time of the first race it had become a useful breeze coming from the SW, it stayed and freshened to provide an excellent days racing, equalling the very good Spring Open meeting.

The first race was virtually a walk-over for a visitor, Ralph Johnson crewed by Beverly Jenkins (469) led at the start and despite being nearly headed once or twice by Brian Conroy and Ron Elston in Moon Indigo (508), they crossed the line first. Conroy was second and Dave and Laura Carter sailing Vino, (507), was third just ahead of Dick Reynolds and Roger Castle in Chablis (421).

The afternoon presented the fleet with an improving wind and with a new course set the fleet set off. Conroy started a little better for this second race, but was still ousted at the windward mark by Johnson, Carter had also started well and had initially tussled with Johnson, both having started at the starboard end on the line. Conroy managed to round second, then Carter third and fourth were Lee and Jon Eynon sailing Harvest Moon (501). A close reaching leg provided the heavier crew of Conroy and Elston an opportunity to pass Johnson late in the race and so eventually take the first place. Johnson was second and Eynon third, with Reynolds fourth.

With all to sail for in the third race, still with a stiffish breeze and the same course, Carter had an opportunity to take advantage of the wariness of Conroy and Johnson, who were watching each other. He made a fine start in the middle of the line while Conroy was at one end and Johnson at the other, he led for almost the first lap with Johnson and Conroy swapping places a number of times. Both Conroy and Johnson did better on the uphill leg with Conroy leading into the second lap just ahead of Johnson, with Carter third. That’s the way it continued with Eynon, Reynolds and Mike and Sue Suffield in Blue Moon (506) contesting the next three places.

All in all a great days racing managed well by the Race Officer, Richard Piper of the Solo fleet.

Overall Results: