RS Feva Grand Prix at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

RS Feva Grand Prix at Chew Valley Lake © Digital Images

RS Feva Grand Prix at Chew Valley Lake © Digital Images

A record entry of 75 boats attended the RS Feva Grand Prix event hosted by Chew Valley Lake SC on October 1st & 2nd. Hot, sunny, tricky conditions meant that nerves of steel were required by the sailors hoping to qualify for the 2012 Feva Worlds or for those hoping to gain a place in the RYA National Junior Squad, Class National Squad or RYA South Zone Squad.

Race one got under way on time in 5 knots of patchy breeze. Leading the way after one lap was Delanie Rutter & Eve Townsend with Chay & Stirling Taylor 2nd; James Hutton-Penham & Thomas Jayasekara in 3rd. The wind dropped to just 3 knots by the finish so a good win by Chay & Stirling whilst climbing to 2nd was James & Thomas with Arran Holman & Chrispin Beaumont in 3rd who all lapped some of the back-markers.

Race two started after a general recall with 7 boats caught black flag. Three of which sheeted in on the 1minute gun! After the first lap a gust of breeze down the left hand side saw Arran & Chrispin extend a huge lead which they held to the finish. 2nd was Chay & Stirling with Ed Haynes & Henry Bowers leading the chasing pack in 3rd. By the finish Anna Prescott & Jess Eales pulled through to 2nd leaving Chay & Stirling in 3rd when the wind shifted left.

The course was reset for the 3rd race which started in 4 knots. The black flag was up but all the fleet were line shy except for the Woodbridge’s (father & daughter local sailors ) who nailed the start. First at the leeward gate was Elliott Wells & Jake Todd with Chay & Stirling in 2nd & Lauren Miles & Esther Fenton-Jones in 3rd. As the wind started dropping again so the going got tricky allowing for a great race for Chay & Stirling who took first from Elliott & Jake, with Jack Nunn & Jonathan Baddeley pulling up to 3rd.

Day two dawned hot & still so racing was postponed for two hours. In the afternoon the fleet got away all clear on a black flag in 8 knots of patchy wind. First at the leeward gate was Sam Grade & Katie Prescott with Jenny Smallwood & Jamie Webb in 2nd & Oliver Scott & Tom Mitchell in 3rd.Again the wind began to drop which Oliver & Tom took advantage of & pulled through to win with Arran & Chrispin up to 2nd whilst Sam & Katie dropped to 3rd.

Race 5 got away in 8 knots after the course was moved over to the right (the sea breeze direction). There was lots to be gained downwind & Arran & Chrispin battled with Chay & Stirling; close behind were a bunch including Jenny & Jamie plus Sam & Katie plus Lauren & Esther. In the end Arran & Chrispin romped away with Chay & Stirling 2nd whilst Anna & Jess climbed up to 3rd. This meant it was all on the last race & in a perfect 8 knots it was Tom Darling & Will Dolin leading at the leeward gate from Elliott & Jake with Arran & Chrispin in 3rd. At the final top mark the 3 boats were close but Tom & Will held on for a win with Arran & Chrispin 2nd securing the overall prize & Elliott & Jake 3rd.

A big 'thank you' to the race management team and everyone at CVLSC who helped to make this a record breaking turnout for the class.

An equally big 'thank you' to all the sailors and their support crews who travelled up to 150 miles or more from 35 different clubs to take part in the event.

The club provided extra prizes which were really appreciated as not only did the top 10 boats get prizes so did 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th & 70th!

Overall Results: