Streaker Open at Greensforge Sailing Club
by Ian Cooper 26 Apr 2008 19:51 BST
26 April 2008
A gusty wind for the Streakers © Ian Cooper
Northern & Southern Paddle Event
A somewhat gusty and variable south-westerly entertained two of our resident Streaker sailors who were joined by five visitors to compete at Greensforge Sailing Club’s sixth annual Open meeting at Calf Heath Reservoir, just south of Stafford.
Race one saw Ian Whitfield from Tamworth S.C. pull out an early lead in the first lap, though the whole field had closed up very tightly by the second windward mark – we have such fickle winds - we may be have a small reservoir and our OOD had laid out just four buoys, but two windward marks in a course is no surprise at Greensforge! This wind was described as ‘well-shifty’ by one our old hands on safety duty; boats were regularly planing at times…and becalmed at others. At half distance Ian had held his place with Alan Simmons, all the way from Lancing S.C., in second and George Harley from North Staffs, a first time visitor, in third. George pinched the lead but Ian was not letting go…a real battle royal ensued until George was just pipped on the line, on the final tack in fact.
The second race saw two groups on the start line; those doing it by the book, at the pin-end and those in the know in the middle of the line…where the wind was…and just when we thought our boys, GSC Commodore Martin Cowell, and President Pete Baker, had used their local knowledge, it all changed again and they found themselves at the back of a very strung out fleet. George romped home in front of Ian’s son Matt Whitfield, and Alan came in third.
After a really fine lunch of sausage and mash, or faggots and peas, (or both!), Ian Whitfield took an early lead, but didn’t help himself when he capsized (don’t ask!). Roger Wallis from South Yorkshire S.C. showed good form, but George Harley broke free from the pack again and stormed home.
Overall Results:
1st George Harley, 1406 (North Staffs S.C.)
2nd Ian Whitfield, 1548 (Tamworth S.C.)
3rd Matt Whitfield, 1446 (Tamworth S.C.)
4th Alan Simmons, 1567 (Lancing S.C.)
5th Roger Wallis, 1360 (South Yorks S.C.)
6th Peter Baker, 1508 (Greensforge S.C.)
7th Martin Cowell, 1040 (Greensforge S.C.)
1st Over, Ian Whitfield, 1548 (Tamworth S.C.)
1st Well-Over, George Harley, 1406 (North Staffs S.C.)
1st Past it, Alan Simmons, 1567 (Lancing S.C.)