Graduate Nationals at Notts County Sailing Club - Day 1
by Alistair Roaf 29 May 2016 09:58 BST
28-30 May 2016
Day 1 of the Graduate Nationals at Notts County © David Eberlin
Saturday 28th May was the first day of the 2016 Graduate Nationals at Notts County Sailing Club. 18 Graduates gathered from clubs the length and breadth of the country. Most had not sailed at Notts County and all were impressed by the beautiful location and friendly welcome.
Two races were sailed in light shifty northerly winds which rewarded those who could find the pressure first.
Race one started with the majority of the fleet trying to work up the middle of the first beat; however, it was those who went far left or far right who led at the windward mark. This was especially the case for Roger Cherrill and Meg Warren who took an initial lead after they sailed out to the starboard lay line.
Father and son team, John and Jamie Clementson, then took the lead, hotly pursued by another Father and son combination of Tony and Sam Cooper (there were four parent/child teams racing), they held these positions to the end of the race. Further down the fleet it was snakes and ladders as positions frequently changed with each new gust coming down the track. Out of the pack Andy and Sue Flitcroft emerged to come third.
Race two was particularly challenging as the wind died ten seconds after the starting gun. Those who had the momentum to navigate clear and again get to the sides of the track made early gains. Once the next gust filled in, the rest of the fleet were moving and making massive position changes with each subsequent gust. This was typified by the final run which saw most of the fleet bunch up around the penultimate mark. Beating to the finish several positions were separated by just inches.
Race two was again won by the Clementsons, followed by the Coopers and in third was youth team Ben and Gabe Hill. With two bullets, last year's champions, the Clementsons, lead at the end of day one.