2.4mR Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club
by Jim Morley 16 Jun 2008 17:15 BST
14-15 June 2008
Frensham’s open meeting for 2.4R keelboats had an extra edge, with a close encounter between Great Britain’s top Paralympic sailors, Helena Lucas and Megan Pascoe, as well as Frensham’s own rising Sailability helm Mike King.
With twenty entries this was to be the largest gathering of these boats in the UK in recent years. Competitors travelled from all parts of Southern England and one from Lancashire, as well as a dozen boats from the home fleet.
British Paralympic selection, Helena Lucas, used the event as her last competitive work out before leaving for Beijing. She was fought all the way by her main rival Megan Pascoe. At the end of the last race both girls were level on points after discard with Megan winning the event with one more first place. Saturday’s two afternoon races were sailed in bright sunshine with a light north-easterly breeze. The first race went to Pascoe with Lucas second and Mike King a close third. Race two was won by Frensham helm Bruce Hill with Helena Lucas second.
All was now set for the four race series on Sunday.
Sunday became a test of light weather sailing skill, with warm weather, but a failing breeze and 360 degree wind shifts. Some suggested renaming the lake “Frustration Pond”. The conditions made no difference to the top helms. The series continued as a tight contest between Pascoe, Lucas and King with Martin Whittingham-Jones from West Kirby also in the running. Pascoe took the first race of the day with Lucas second. Race Two was won easily by Mike King from Whittingham-Jones, Pascoe third and Lucas fourth. All was set for an afternoon showdown. Helena Lucas won the first with Megan Pascoe second. The final race went to Frensham’s Mike King who finished the series only one point behind the two top names.
The cup and other prizes were presented by club commodore John Townsley during the famous Frensham free tea. It was noted that this was the fourth time Megan Pascoe has won the trophy especially as Frensham is now the main base for the 2.4 class in Southern England. In her acceptance speech Megan Pascoe, on behalf of all present, wished Helena Lucas good luck in the Beijing Paralympics.
Overall Results:
1st Megan Pascoe (Weirwood SC)
2nd Helena Lucas (Royal Southampton YC)
3rd Mike King (Frensham)
4th Martin Whittingham-Jones (West-Kirby SC)