Dart 16 Traveller Series at Worthing Sailing Club
by Jacky Thomas 27 May 2008 08:11 BST
24-25 May 2008
The Dart 16 Travellers Series starts at Worthing © Jacky Thomas
Worthing Sailing Club played host to the first of the series. We were greeted by an enthusiastic group of committee members and delicious bacon butties.
What an exciting start to the series Saturday was- we set out in a brisk offshore breeze a high 5 which progressed during the second race to a force 7! Many may say ‘ideal Dart 16 weather’! The third race was abandoned (thank goodness) since the wind strength was such that even the dart 16 might suffer breakages. I understand that a number of the poor race committee on the motor boat suffered badly from sea sickness in the huge waves. Martin Stevens led the first race just beating Nick Hart. The second race, in an increasing wind saw both Nick beat Martin to the first mark for both then to capsize on the run. Unfortunately this forced Martin to retire leaving only Nick and Graham Tomlin to finish with everyone else safely ashore.
Sunday saw a complete reversal of weather; beautiful sunshine, a light breeze, showing off the lovely shoreline, beach and Mediterranean coloured sea. Three races were run, with a shortened course for the last two. Worthing club members, Martin Stevens and Sharon Astley (Dart 16 National 2007 winners) came first beating Nick Hart and son Tom, Eastbourne Sovereign SC by one point followed by Graham Tomlin and Jacky Thomas (also Eastbourne), third.
The Dart 16 Nationals are to be held in Eastbourne on June 7th-8th, come and join the fun!