International Moths at Kielder Water Sailing Club

Six International Moth sailors from Scotland and the Northern half of England ignored the weather forecast of strong winds and gales to be met at Kielder Water Sailing Club by a very warm welcome from the hosts for what was intended to be two days of racing on 11 and 12 September, as part of the Club’s Annual Open Meeting Regatta. Unlike the club, the weather was less welcoming and for once the forecasters had it right.

The event became a one race wonder on which to determine the prize winners. In this race one competitor elected not to launch, so then there were five. Stewart Walker, when righting a capsize before the start, cracked his centreboard, so then there were four. Timing his recovery from pre-start capsize five to perfection, human cannonball Colin Newman shot off the start line into an early lead till all tacked for the first time when, as a recent recruit to extreme sports, he gave a ten minute display of ‘extreme bathing’ in his eventually successful attempt to return to the bank unaided (other than by the welcoming party of Stewart and some retired Cherub sailors), so then there were three.

All the remaining heroes ‘took the waters’ more than once in the ferocious gusts, hitting thirty knots. However to their credit, all three finished the race along with just eight other starters from 53 boats in the overall regatta. By the finish, Tim Ollerenshaw had a huge lead on Keith Cuthbert who in turn was well ahead of a soggy Paul Hignett with a wonky wing bar, home in bronze medal position.

As the gales then arrived in full force, that was that for the weekend, apart from socialising at the club and watching its very proficient safety boats in action.

Overall Results: