Streaker Open at Welton Sailing Club
by Steve Abbott 21 Apr 2008 17:24 BST
19 April 2008
A poor forecast doesn't deter © Steve Abbott
19th April's forecast was for force 6 gusting 8 and cold, so having three club competitors, and ten visitors for the Welton SC Streaker Open was an excellent turnout, despite six local helms wisely declining.
The first race kept the safety crews busy with many capsizes and equipment failures, but circuit hotshot Nick Lovell led from the start, and top challenger Ian Bradley moved up from a capsize just before the gun to fourth place.
After a legendary WSC gourmet lunch, Lovell again led a reduced fleet from the start of the second race, with Bradley, local ace and boat-builder Dave Butler and Tamworth’s Ian Whitfield fighting each other for the next three places.
Only six made the line for the final race, in which Lovell overcame a poor start to take the lead from Bradley shortly after the first lap. With Butler forced to retire, Whitfield challenged hard, but couldn’t quite make second.
Altogether, a challenging and exciting day with long, hard beats and fast planing reaches.
Overall Results:
1st Nick Lovell (Ouse Amateur SC)
2nd Ian Bradley (Ouse Amateur SC)
3rd Ian Whitfield (Tamworth SC)
4th Dave Butler (Welton SC)
5th Matt Whitfield (Tamworth SC)