Byte CII Open at Weston Sailing Club

The Byte class visited Weston Sailing Club over the weekend of 20-21 September for an open meeting which was shared with the Contender and Hornet classes. 4 Bytes joined the home fleet travelling from as far as Manchester and Bristol.

The wind on Saturday was a very light northerly which was challenging for the race officer and the competitors alike.

In Race 1 the pin end was favoured, Ryan Bush from Bristol Corinthian got away well and went left but in the shifty conditions it was Rachel Cooper first at the windward mark followed by Chris Rees then Ryan and Rick Whitehouse. Before the gybe mark there were a few place changes amongst the first 3 boats with Ryan making the most of his light weight and off wind speed gaining the lead which he held to the finish. There was a close battle for the next 3 places with Rick moving into second with Chris third and Charlotte forth.

The second race was delayed while the wind settled down and the course was reset. The start was competitive with Maggie and Kevin battling it out but both being over line and having to return. At the windward mark Rachel Moore and Alan Roberts were fighting for first place followed by Ryan and Rick close behind. Off wind Rick favoured going high while Ryan went low. At the gybe it was Ryan first followed by Rick then Alan then Rachel. By the finish Alan pulled through to second. The fading breeze caused sailing to be curtailed for the day with the fleet returning ashore for an evening of fun and excellent food with the bar kindly sponsored by 50N sailing.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny with a freshening, gusty breeze from the north. Ryan started as he had finished the day before by winning the pin end and carrying a favourable shift up the left side. However it was the Kevin Moore first to the windward mark then Ryan, Chris, Rick and Alan close behind. Going into the 2nd mark the lead had changed with Ryan first and then Kevin with Chris having a dual which allowed Alan through to second. Ryan held his lead to the finish with Alan in second with Rick third.

Bart's Bash also counted as race 4 with 73 boats sharing the start line. With one minute to go Ryan was happily surfing the wakes of passing ships not realising it was all one start and as a result could only manage fourth at the windward mark. Kevin was leading but with Rick in hot pursuit. The gusty conditions made the run challenging with both Rick and Ryan capsizing. However, by the end Rick was first followed by Alan and Chris with Ryan 4th.

The last race was challenging as the wind lessened but becoming more shifty. The pin was favoured again with Chris and Allen going too early and having to duck the pin end and letting Ryan in. By the windward mark Ryan was in first and in second were Rick and then Alan. Despite an unfavourable shift on the last beat Ryan went on to record his fourth win from Rick and Alan.

The Byte remains popular with helms of all ages and sizes with the youngest competitor, Ryan, being just 13 and 52kgs.

Many thanks to Weston SC for running an excellent event and making all feel very welcome, we hope to return soon.

Overall Results: