Contender Open at Sandwich Bay Sailing & Water Skiing Club
by Robert Angus 9 Jul 2008 07:54 BST
Travellers Trophy Round 6
11 Contenders were warmly welcomed to the picturesque setting of Sandwich Bay sailing Club.
The day started by most of the fleet looking worriedly out at the ever increasing white water despite the committee boat trying to tell (although not believed) us the wind speed was only 16 knots gusting 20.
The first race started with Martin Frary in is usual form being over the line despite being next to the Pin mark. Everyone else got away cleanly with but the race took a number of casualties due to the ever increasing sea. Chris Boshier was having difficult in tacking was but the reason for this was soon to become evident after he capsized finding his board was considerably shorter than it should have been.
Other casualties were Martin Jones bending his rudder pintles and Tim Humphries bending his mast.
Tony Cook took the win with Mike Murley in second Ed Presley in third. Dick Buttner and Robert Angus were the only other finishers.
The second race saw only 7 starters with Dick taking an early lead rounding the windward mark first followed by Martin F who got away cleanly this time. Martin took the lead downwind and went on to win the race with Dick in Second, Mike in third.
With only 4 boats left on the course for the third race they decided to call it a day leaving Mike leading overall.
Curry, Beer and Ping-pong was the evening’s events with Roger showing his skills as the Ping-Pong master.
The first race the following day saw Martin F and Robert fighting for the lead. Robert took an early lead but Martin managed to get ahead on the last lap to take the Win. Mike taking third closely followed by Roger.
Second race seen the same four at the front fighting with Martin leading, Robert in second followed closely by Mike and Roger. Mike made a bad tack after rounding the mark causing him to capsize and drop back.
The final race of the day saw some confusement on the start line with a double blast of the horn at the one minute, coincided with a large wind shift. This caused some of the fleet to hesitate at the start but Ed made the most of it taking the lead followed by Martin.
Ed sailed well in the increasing wind and building sea to take the lead followed by Martin but Ed held him off and took the win. Dick was again very consistent in the stronger wind taking third place.
Overall Results:
1st Martin Frary
2nd Mike Murley
3rd Dick Buttner
4th Robert Angus
5th Ed Presley
6th Tony Cook
7th Rodger White
8th Tim Humphries
9th Alan Mollatt
10th Chris Boshier
11th Martin Jones
A special thank you should go to all at SBSWSC for a warm welcome and great open event.