Leader Open at Milton Keynes Sailing Club

by Jane Wharmby 8 Oct 2003 07:56 BST 4 - 5 October 2003

Visitors from Bristol & Avon, Melton Mowbray and Dell Quay SC joined the 3 home boats for the final Leader Open Event of 2003 at Milton Keynes SC.

Saturday was grey and gusty and made for testing conditions, with the wind direction changing frequently. In the first race Chris and Jane Wharmby made the most of a port-biased line and led the fleet from the start, with Mike Fitzgerald and Tim Dormer second and Paul and Helen Dickinson third.

In Race 2, Wharmby was well over the line at the start, to the great amusement of Fitzgerald and Dormer who were first to the windward mark. Racing was close throughout the fleet with the Dickinsons battling with Jason Jackson and Crew, and Rob and Helen White taking on Nigel Ridley and Gary French, newcomers to Leader racing. The Wharmbys gradually made their way back through the fleet to finish two seconds behind Fitzgerald and Dormer.

Richard, Christine and Sally Morris arrived on Sunday and added an extra dimension to the racing, constantly threatening the first two boats. Under clear blue skies and a cold northerly Force 3, Wharmby took two first places, to win the Open and the 2004 Open Series.

Second place in the Open Series went to the Sherwen family, and third to Helen and Paul Dickenson. The Morris family, new to the fleet in 2003, took 4th position.

All agreed that MKSC had rounded off the Open Series well with a very enjoyable and sociable weekend. Thanks to everybody for all their hard work.

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat Type	Sail No	Boat Name	Helm	Crew	Club	Pts
1st	Leader	1083	Birubi	Chris Wharmby	Jane Wharmby	Milton Keynes SC	3
2nd	Leader	331		Mike Fitzgerald	Tim Dormer	Dell Quay SC	5
3rd	Leader	1255		Paul Dickenson	Helen Dickenson	Melton Mowbray SC	9
4th	Leader	1135		Rob White	Helen and Becky White	Milton Keynes SC	14
5th	Leader	43	Kirstie	Richard Morris	Christine and Sally Morris	Melton Mowbray SC	15