Comet Open at Staunton Harold Sailing Club

Race 3 starts during the Comet Open at Staunton Harold © Nick Threadgill

Mark Coppenhall wins the Comet Open at Staunton Harold © Nick Threadgill

Twenty competitors which included five home boats made up the fleet at the SHSC 2015 Comet Open meeting. The mist, which had been shrouding the lake since the early hours, finally cleared by the allotted start time but as the wind had yet to fill, the Race Officer, Simon Kelsall, wisely postponed the start.

The first race, which was held in 8-10 knots of breeze, saw several sailors leading at different times with Jonathan Latham (349) first to the windward mark, Brian Welham (801) taking over the lead on the first run and Mark Coppenhall (427) pulling through into the lead on lap two with a more favourable choice of upwind course. Lap two also saw Eddie Pope (804) take over second place. This order was maintained at the finish with Mark Coppenhall winning, Eddie Pope second and Brian Welham third. Youth sailor Chris Hatton (48) who had been challenging for third place during the race finally finished fourth.

Mark Coppenhall got his start times wrong on race two and was a minute late in starting leaving Chris Robinson (867) the opportunity to get to the mark first with Paul Hinde (844) and Eddie Pope close behind. The three exchanged position throughout the race but with two legs of the final lap to go Eddie Pope edged into first position and held it until the finish with Paul Hinde a comfortable second ahead of Chris Robinson. Steve Bellamy (311) moved up to finish fourth and Youth sailor Izac Dodds (701) came up on the last lap to finish fifth.

Race three was all about second place as Mark Coppenhall led from start to finish. Battling it out for second were Eddie Pope, Bob Dodds (869), Izac Dodds and Chris Robinson with Bob Dodds coming out on top to take second spot beating Eddie Pope by 1 boat length. Brian Welham came in fourth and Chris Robinson fifth.

Final results of the day were Mark Coppenhall from Severn Sailing Club winning first place with his two wins, Eddie Pope from Ogston in second place and Brian Welham from Hunts in third place. Rhiain Bevan (724) from Cransley was the first lady helm and further prizes went to Chris Hatton from Severn, Chris Robinson from Burghfield, John Coppenhall (532) from Hunts and Nigel Pepperdine (who borrowed Comet 688) from SHSC.

At the prize presentation, thanks were given to the Race Officer and his assistants, the safety boat teams and the galley crew who provided a hot lunch and refreshments during the day.

Overall Results: