British Moth Padfield Trophy at Bristol Avon Sailing Club
by Georgia Honey 14 Jul 2009 16:23 BST
11 July 2009
British Moths returned to Bristol Avon S.C, at Saltford, near Bath on the 11th July to race for the Padfield Trophy, the revival of an event last held in 2000.
The Moth event was part of BASC's Regatta Weekend and the Moths were treated to a very warm welcome and hospitality par excellence.
Of the 11 boats that took to the water 8 were visitors from Frampton-on-Severn and Chippenham.
The Avon at Saltford is perhaps the ideal Moth river setting, providing
tricky conditions against a slight river flow, with the odd passing
Canal Barge now and then to add further interest for the competitors.
Once a British Moth stronghold, the Fleet has reduced in recent years
and the event was held to hopefully re-stimulate interest in the class.
The Moths accounted themselves well and perhaps surprised a few with
their speed on the day with much interest being generated.
In the first of the 3 race programme, starting behind the main Handicap Fleet the Moths were led by Graham Pope for a lap before being passed by Roger Witts on the 2nd beat. Behind, Andrew Parker-Mowbray, Bill Gribble and Fenella Gass were holding off Mark Wiltshire. As Witts extended his lead to win comfortably and managed to catch and pass all the Handicap Fleet, the Pope/Gribble battle ensued. This was Bill Gribble's 1st visit to a river venue and he was clearly enjoying it, no doubt due in part to the close tacking practice from the Golant event in May. Pope hung on to take 2nd place and kept the flyweight behind (just). With Parker-Mowbray's kicker failing, Gass and Wiltshire moved ahead with Fenella Gass being the second swimmer of the day on the downwind leg in a freshening breeze, having passed Andrew Perrott testing the water at the windward bouy.
After the lunch break the Moths started ahead of the Handicap Fleet for Race 2 in a gradually increasing wind that had swung slightly, giving a strongly biased line for the start. This time Witts (unusually!) made the start, and heading the fleet and left unchallenged throughout the rest of the race took his second win. Behind, Pope and Gribble were at it again, but this time Gribble, after an infringement, fought back to a well deserved second place with Pope mere seconds behind. Lunch break adjustments for Andrew Perrott paid off as he was getting used to his "new" boat and looking more comfortable with the reduced cockpit area of a 'Clark' boat.
Wiltshire too looked quicker off wind but was praying for more of it to test his new Carbon mast set-up. His prayers were answered, and Race 3 was sailed in the strongest breeze of the day with the forecast rain just holding off until the race ended.
The final race started in blustery conditions with the Moths having the water to themselves. A change of boat for Fenella Gass was ill fated with a retirement. Early to show were Andrew Perrott with Tony Latham in close proximity. At the first mark Witts had taken the lead with Pope
closing on Perrott. Wiltshire was going well and soon caught and passed Latham and Perrott to join the front two. Again Witts extended his lead to win with Pope 2nd and Wiltshire 3rd... a clean sweep for the 'heavyweight division'. Gribble was first of the lightweights in 5th place with Parker-Mowbray in 4th who did a great job covering Gribble upwind and just managing to
hold him downwind.
The beautiful "Padfield Trophy" (Solid Silver) was presented along with a selection of Organic Cheeses from the Padfield Farm for the top three.
Roger Witts, a previous winner of the Padfield Trophy in 1970, asked if the Moths could return to BASC in 2010 with, possibly, the Trophy being presented as a full Somerville Open qualifying event.
Many thanks to BASC for holding the event. Special thanks to Simon Woollen and Sailing Secretary Mike Brock, and to Sharon Hooper for being the catalyst when the event was initially proposed.
Overall Results:
1st 871 Roger Witts (Frampton-on-Severn S.C.)
2nd 840 Graham Pope (Frampton-on-Severn S.C.)
3rd 838 Bill Gribble (Frampton-on-Severn S.C.)