Snipe South Eastern Championships at Maldon Yacht Club

18 Snipes turned out for South-Eastern Championships held at Maldon Yacht Club on 12th and 13th July. The event was started with a one minute’s silence in memory of Phil Marshall, a former winner of the event and Maldon Yacht Club member.

Saturday’s racing started from the club line and finished off the far corner of Northey Island. This was a trying race in little wind, which varied in direction all the time. Peter Wolstenholme with crew Sue Roberts came through to win. John Love and Chris Surridge were second and Iain and Richard Marshall third. The second race, started from the committee boat, was shortened to allow the boats to get back to the clubhouse before the last of the tide disappeared. Local sailors Iain and Richard Marshall came in first with Alan Williams and Liz Crouch second.

The racing on Saturday may have been frustrating but everyone enjoyed a barbecue at the clubhouse where the bar stayed open till late.

Sunday was a much better day for sailing with a constant force four blowing. The Race Officer, Keith Gower, was able to set two long courses into the open water off Osea Island in the Blackwater estuary. The result of the third race was the same as the first race with Wolstenholme first and Love second. The final race was won by Brian and Ian Gregory with Peter Wolstenholme second. The racing was extremely close with one mistake loosing you several places.

Competitors, club members and visitors had an enjoyable weekend.

Overall Results: