505 Open Meeting at Shotley Sailing Club

The 505 open meeting at Shotley SC attracted sixteen boats from around the country in spite of a forecast of light offshore wind being cancelled out by afternoon sea breeze. Thankfully the sea breeze dominated allowing race officer Malk Brown to set a windward leeward course to the right of the harbour entrance.

In 8 to 10 mph wind Martin Hodgson and Adrian Miles were on the pace early. The fleet were split between those going inshore for less tide and offshore for better wind. Offshore seemed to pay with leading boats coming from that side. Down wind the fleet spread as teams tried differing angles in the marginal conditions. Running deep generally seemed to pay with several boats making places.

Martin Hodgson and Adrian Miles, Matt Hart and Craig Hurrell and Chris Dando crewed by Donald Sloan all had good speed. Ross Kenney crewed by Dougal Cram were also in contention but unfortunately missed the gate on the second lap.

The conditions for Race 2 were were marginally lighter over the same course. Matt Hart and Craig Hurrell were first at the windward mark pulling out a lead of 20 to 30m over the following boats down wind, maintaining their lead until the finish.

The first beat of Race 3 saw the wind freshen and lift a little on the left, favouring several boats. Tim Bird and Richard Nurse were first to round the windward mark followed by Terry Scutcher and Christian Diebitsch and Matt and Craig. Scutcher went hard right after the gate on lap two while Bird and Hart went centre left.

Better breeze gave Terry a two boat lead at the start of the last down-wind leg; however the lighter crew of Bird/Nurse eased through to take the gun by a boat length from Scutcher, closely followed by Hart in third place.

In the evening many crews enjoyed very necessary 're-hydration' and curry/chilli in the sailing club.

Sunday morning brought a cloudless sky, blistering heat and little wind. Outside the harbour the conditions were not improving so racing in the Stour estuary was the only solution. With a windward leeward course Race 4 started in marginal trapezing conditions. Bird led both laps to win from Scutcher and Hodgson.

Rob Napier pulled off an immaculate port end flyer in race 5 to cross the fleet but gybed early at the windward mark letting Hart and Bird through. On the final run Bird/Nurse found fresher breeze on the left allowing them to scrape a narrow win from Hart/Hurrell to win the event.

Overall Results: