Buzz & ISO Multi Gala at Downs Sailing Club

Steve Restall & Sarah Styles win the Buzz Open at Downs Sailing Club © Frank

Ian & Katie Keam-George win the ISO Open at Downs Sailing Club © Frank

On the weekend of 28th/29th June, Downs SC held a Multi Gala for the Buzz and Iso classes. Saturday dawned with a Force 3 from the South East and a fairly flat sea, with only light cloud, sun-glasses and cream were the order of the day. The race officer set a trapezoidal course with separate windward-leeward legs at each end to keep the two fleets apart.

The Buzz class started first and Simon Cory and Annie Smith from Downs were quickly into the lead, close behind were Steve Restall, crewed by Sarah Styles and Chris Dutton, crewed by Martin Wyman. These three remained close together throughout the race and finished in that order. The second race followed a similar pattern, with the same crews finishing in the top three positions. In the Iso fleet, Ian and Katie Keam-George dominated proceedings on the first day, winning all three races, followed by clubmate Jony Wells from Essex YC. The third race was a long-distance one which took the two fleets past Deal pier in the direction of Ramsgate. In the Buzz fleet competition was fierce with a close encounter between Cory and Dutton at the windward mark leading to the latter having to take a penalty. John Cass and Julia Brazil were going well and kept pace with Cory and Smith through the race. At the finish, Steve Restall took first place followed by Cory then Cass.

On Sunday, the wind had increased to a Force 4/5 from a more Easterly direction. However the cloud had cleared and from the beach there was a clear view of France. The course was P-shaped, the longest leg being an exciting three-sail reach parallel to the beach against the tide with the crews at full stretch on the trapeze as they surfed across the waves. Steve Restall and Sarah Styles dominated proceedings in the Buzz fleet taking three first places, however they were closely pressed by Simon Cory and Chris Dutton, the latter showing good upwind speed. John Cass and Julia Brazil also found the conditions to their liking, taking two third positions. Jeremy Blackman and Rick Clemence found that their weight was an advantage in the stronger breeze and were chafing at the heels of the leading boats throughout the day. In the Iso fleet the battle remained between Ian Keam-George and Jony Wells, with the former winning out in two of the three races.

The organisation was superb throughout the weekend, which augurs well for the National Championships for Buzz, Iso, Boss, Spice and Blaze classes which will be held at the same venue next year. The Buzz fleet were rewarded with £25 vouchers for Wet and Windy Watersports which will come in very handy for the minor breakages that occurred.

Overall Results: