Bewl Blaster at Bewl Valley Sailing Club
by Ian Duffill 1 Feb 2004 19:28 GMT
February 1st 2004
White capped waves are not a regular feature of Bewl Water even if it is said to be the largest stretch of inland water in the South of England.
25 boats braved a steady yachtsman’s gale (Force 6) with a stream of gusts easily taking the wind-strength in to the full gale ranges. 16 different classes of boat from RS800s, 700, 600 and 400s, Flying Fifteens to Lasers and Toppers fought it out for places as well as fighting the elements. Wily race officer, Jeff Warley, set a no-nonsense trapezoidal course with a good hard beat and screaming reaches with and without spinnaker. Using the principal of best average times over the rounds completed by each boat gave a fair balance for such widely disparate boat speeds.
A truly inspired first windward leg in the first race saw the pristine white Fireball of Marc Maskell and Vic Gomez of Fisher’s Green storm into an unassailable lead. They held on, dodging the handful of unfortunates on each lap who sampled the water quality. It was line honours as well as a handicap win.
The second race,with just a couple of knots off the wind strength, gave Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith of the home club a chance to show that their RS800 really is a high speed machine – sheets of spray and some fine sail handling. Finally the pride of the Bewl Flying Fifteen fleet was salvaged when Robert Hogben and Chris Hough sailed a tidy race to win the last contest with the wind backing and re-strengthening.
Great credit to all who sailed in cold and testing conditions and particular mention to teenager Paul Turnill who battled on with gritty determination to record 5th overall in his Topper.
Overall Results:
1st Fireball 14805 Mark Maskell and Vic Gomez Fisher’s Green SC
2nd Flying Fifteen 3653 Robert Hogben BNSC
3rd RS800 903 Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith