Lightning Southerns at Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre
by Carole Smith 2 Apr 2007 16:58 BST
1 April 2007
Action from the Lightning Southerns at Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre © Carole Smith
Twenty one boats took part in bright sunshine with a strong gusty wind from the northeast. The first race was closely contested with Graeme Hughes leading followed by Calvin Merry both of Hillingdon with Alex Jones of Cookham Reach in third place. On the second lap Alex took the lead at the windward mark but unfortunately capsized on the gybe. Calvin came through to win with Alex second, Graeme third and David Tiney of Hillingdon in forth.
The wind increased for the second race which saw numerous capsizes and retirements. Graeme again had a good start and was first to the windward mark followed by Calvin then Mark Smith of Hillingdon. By the second lap Calvin had established a good lead with Alex having moved up to second and David third. Calvin had trouble at a mark allowing Alex to pull ahead followed by David then Graeme. Then Alex broke his tiller extension. David took the lead which he maintained to the finish with Graeme second, Calvin third and Caroline Key of West Oxford fourth.
The overall positions were now very close. Calvin first with 4 points then David and Graeme on 5. It was all on the last race.
Calvin and Caroline got away from Mark in third and David in fourth. In the second lap Calvin stretched his lead over Caroline but David was gaining and eventually moved up to finish second to Marks third
It was a great day’s racing hotly contested throughout. The final result saw Calvin Merry on 2 points, David Tiney second with 3 points and Graeme Hughes third with 5 points.
Overall Results:
1st Calvin Merry (Hillingdon LF)
2nd David Tiney (Hillingdon LF)
3rd Graeme Hughes (Hillingdon LF)
4th Alex Jones (Cookham Reach SC)
5th Mark Smith (Hillingdon LF)
6th Caroline Key (West Oxford SC)