Comet Open at Winsford Flash Sailing Club
by Roy Symmers 10 May 2015 21:24 BST
9 May 2015
Seventeen helms including six visitors took part in the Winsford Flash Comet Open. The wind was North West and remained from this direction for the duration of the competition but shifted about enough, as it often does at Winsford, to challenge the sailors. All helms chose to use standard rigs except Rick Whitehouse (Combs SC, 780) who used an Xtra Rig.
Race 1 started in F4/5 winds with Force 5 gusts and an occasional F6 flurry. Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804) started well and maintained a lead for the first two laps but was overtaken by Rick Whitehouse (Combs SC, 780) on the last lap. The OOD had set a testing course with downwind legs especially loved by Comet sailors in a fresh breeze! This resulted in several capsizes including the writer and consequently my memory of this race is somewhat limited.
Over lunch the wind moderated a little in time for the second race. The course contained two good reaches resulting in some enjoyable planing and producing some "whoops" from a few helms. Jonathan Latham (Winsford Flash SC, 349) finished 1st having led throughout the race. Paul Hinde (Severn SC, 844) moved from 4th to 2nd overtaking Eddie Pope (Ogston SC, 804) who finished 3rd and Rick Whitehouse (Combs SC, 780) who came 4th. Further down the fleet John Coppenhall (Hunts SC, 532) traded places with Nigel Fern (845) several times.
The wind moderated a bit more for the last race and Jonathan Latham (Winsford Flash SC, 349) established a lead early in the first lap. This he managed to hold over five laps to finish 1st although he was hounded by Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804) and Rick Waterhouse (Combs SC, 780).
Congratulations to Jonathan Latham who was the overall winner and thanks from Winsford Flash SC to all our visitors who made the event so competitive and enjoyable. We hope you will all come again next year.
Overall Results:
1. Jonathan Latham (Winsford Flash SC, 349, S)
2. Rick Whitehouse (Combs SC, 780, Xtra)Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804, S)
3. Eddie Pope (Ogsten SC, 804, S)
4. Paul Hinde (Severn SC, 844, S)
5. John Coppenhall (Hunts SC, 532, S)
6. Steve Bellamy (Winsford Flash SC, 311, S)