Contender Travellers at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club
by Nick Noble 2 Jun 2011 08:14 BST
28-29 May 2011
The sixth round of the contender Travellers Series was held on 28th – 29th May 2011 and was hosted by Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club.
The high winds forecast for the weekend meant that many of the fleet stayed home. Those that did travel arrived to find a strong off shore breeze which enticed the race officer to set a course and allow racing as launching from the shingle beach was possible.
Race one started with winds gusting over 30 knots and an angry sea state. By the end of the first lap Nick Noble and Alex Koukourakus had established a commanding lead as others spent time capsizing. The second lap saw Alex break his boom whilst gybing which allowed Nick to sail comfortably to finish first ahead of the only other finisher Ed Presley who fought bravely after many capsizes.
Races two and three were cancelled for the day after the Race Officer decided conditions had become unmanageable for sailing.
Sunday's weather was a repeat of the day before however the Race Officer decided to set a course closer to the shore where the waves were less high.
Nick Noble sailed both races by himself with no capsizes whilst the remainder of the fleet stayed ashore ensuring overall victory by completing the necessary three races to count as a series.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Noble Consultancy | 2376 | Nick Noble | Portishead Y and SC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2nd | | 2406 | Ed Presley | RAFSA | 2 | DNC | DNC | 30 |
| 3rd | Poledancer | 2506 (69) | Tony White | Lancing SC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | White Hull | 69 | Alex Koukourakis | ESSC | DNF | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | Breeze Block | 702 | Matt Aston | Datchet Water | DNF | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | Princess Tiger Lily | 599 (07) | Chris Yates | ESSC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | | 2505 | Peter Dives | ESSC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | Raptor | 694 | Chris Boschier | Thorpe Bay Yacht Club | DNC | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | | 703 | Peter Hayward | ESSC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | Pocket Battleship | 469 | Carl Tagoe | | DNS | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | Bit 'o' Wet | 2383 | David Davies | RYA | DNC | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | Dr Jeep | 2484 | Nick Grace | Castle Cove SC | DNF | DNC | DNC | 42 |
| 3rd | V-Beaut | 2318 | Alan Mollatt | Sandwich Bay | DNC | DNC | DNC | 42 |