Northern Sports Boats at Royal Northumberland Yacht Club
by Carl Vincent 26 Jun 2009 11:08 BST
13-14 June 2009
Racing during the Northern Sports Boat Championships © Allan Smith
The weekend of the 13-14th June saw the fourth Northern Sports Boat Championships being held by the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club. Despite the forecast of unpredictable weather, visitors from as far away as Rutland Sailing Club and Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club made the trip to Blyth on the North East coast for the event. They formed a fleet of thirteen boats contesting seven windward-leeward races over the two days.
The first race began with the race officer setting a long line to avoid starting the event with too much shouting. Boats formed up, grouped at either end of the line and set off up the beat, arriving at the windward mark in a group. The fleet began to split as there were a few less-than-perfect hoists. Local boats Risky Business (Melges 24) and Tonka (Cork 1720) led the way with the Melges taking line honours but beaten by the Cork under handicap.
Following a quick turnaround the second race was started. The fleet was led round by another local Melges 24, Filska, along with Risky Business and Tonka. However, Mr Crusty (Soling) made the best of the rising wind strength to take the win on handicap.
A much shorter start line raised the pressure for the third race thought there was a clean getaway. Risky Business again was first around the course with visiting Laser SB3 Jupiter taking the win.
The first day was wrapped up with a final race with fading and shifting winds. Risky Business and Buddy (Sigma 8) led around the course, with Baloo (Laser SB3) taking the win on handicap.
With four winners in four races, the competition was still wide open as the fleet headed back to the club’s house yacht for complementary cocktails and the evening’s festivities. Royal Northumberland showed it deserved its reputation for great event social evenings with a quiz and other games and a busy bar through till closing time.
The second day started with bright sunshine and a nice westerly wind over a flat sea. The race officer again started with a longer line to accommodate those who were still feeling the effects of the evening hospitality. Crews needed to be on their toes though as the arrival of the sea breeze during the race saw the wind shift from the West right through to the South East in just a few minutes. The three Melges boats were fastest round the course but Baloo finished ahead of Filska on handicap.
As conditions settled down, the final two races were closely contested by Risky Business and Tonka, with the Melges coming out on top on both occasions.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Class | Sail No | Club | TCF | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Risky Business | Melges 24 | 337 | RNYC | 1.051 | 2 | -4 | 2 | 3 | -5 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 2nd | Tonka | Cork 1720 | 1706 | RNYC | 1.0409 | 1 | 3 | -9 | 4 | -9 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| 3rd | Baloo | Laser SB3 | 3057 | SYC | 0.9721 | -8 | -12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| 4th | Filska | Melges 24 | 384 | RNYC | 1.051 | 6 | 2 | 6 | -12 | 2 | 3 | -8 | 19 |
| 5th | Jupiter | Laser SB3 | 3345 | Rutland SC | 0.9721 | -10 | -13 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 23 |
| 6th | Mr Crusty | Soling | 170 | B&FYC | 0.95 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -11 | 6 | -11 | 10 | 24 |
| 7th | Cheeky Girl | Melges 24 | 190 | SYC | 1.051 | 4 | 5 | -13 | -10 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 24 |
| 8th | Buddy | Sigma 8 | 2424 | RNYC | 1.0215 | -13 | 8 | 7 | 2 | -13 | 9 | 2 | 28 |
| 9th | Shearwater | Laser RSK6 | 122 | SYC | 0.951 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | -8 | 7 | -9 | 31 |
| 10th | The Young Pretender | Laser SB3 | 3315 | | 0.9721 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | -10 | (DNC) | 33 |
| 11th | Corkanut | Cork 1720 | 1718 | RNYC | 1.0409 | -12 | -10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 42 |
| 12th | Maverix | Soling | 6 | | 0.95 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 11 | -13 | (DNF) | 46 |
| 13th | Filthy Gorgeous | Projection 762 | 7632 | RNYC | 0.9651 | 11 | 11 | -12 | -13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 57 |