Buzz Inland Championships at Bewl Valley Sailing Club

Sailors from the Buzz Inland Championships 2007 © Mark Wilson

Action from the Inland Championships © Richard Janulewicz / www.fotoboat.com

Action from the Inland Championships © Richard Janulewicz / www.fotoboat.com

Bewl Water, in the beautiful High Weald, played host to the Buzz Inland Nationals. A weekend of light winds was forecast in some glorious Autumn sunshine for the 10 Buzzes.

During the start of Race 1 the wind filled and veered giving a single close haul leg followed by a broad reach. Simon, sailing with experienced crew Katie, 1089, lead the way with Chris and Martin 1061, and the rapidly improving pair of Candice and Bryn 590, in close pursuit. Those that went high on the second lap, avoiding the ISO fleet benefited. 1089 held on for the short reach from the leeward mark to the line to win. Andy and newcomer Vicky, fearless in her trapezing, in Bond’s 007, had a good race too.

With the change in wind direction, the race officer moved the course. Racing was extremely close with positions changing frequently over 5 laps. The wind increased allowing lighter crews to trapeze. Following the land up the left side of the course seemed to be favoured with Penny and Roger, 987, taking full advantage storming through to win, followed by a melee of 6 other buzzes with Mark and Jane, 1027, dropping from 2nd to 5th, Ed and Sarah, 969, taking 2nd, 1089 moving from 5th to 3rd and 1061 taking 4th all on the short reach to the finish. After a general recall because of minimal, shifting winds, Stuart and Zoe 763 got a good re-start and led 1089 and 969, opening up a good lead on the fleet by the windward mark. The middle and right hand side of the course now seemed to be favoured, and it was critical when crews tacked to the mark, those waiting longest and tacking beyond the lay-line avoided the headers and gained most. 1089 took the honours with 969 overcoming 763 for second. 590 nearly snatched 4th but 1027 just held on.

After beer and rugby at the Brown Trout, day 2 emerged out of the mist to reveal a day better suited to rowing than sailing. The buzzes joined the club racers for a trapezoidal course. Again a wind shift at the start, in boat-stalling conditions, left a single tack to the top mark. 1089 lead with 590, 1027, 969, 1061, 987 and 763 in close pursuit. Mark 3 to 4 proved critical with those tacking early finding more wind. 1089 led with 1027 in second, followed by 1061 and 763. Positions didn’t alter much, however 585 was pipped by 007 for 8th in frustrating conditions. The RO decided enough was enough and abandoned racing. Well done to 1089 for another sweeping success and to all for such close racing. Good to see Lizzi and Dan in their first Buzz event together. Thanks to Bewl for their organisation and friendliness.

Prizes for the Traveller Series were also awarded with first going deservedly to Stuart and Zoe, with Josh and Mike in runner-up spot.

The Buzz fleet looks forward to welcoming newcomers, expert and beginner, to events next year so keep an eye on www.bu22.co.uk.

Overall Results: