Redwing Nationals on the Isles of Scilly
by Helen Williams 22 Sep 2004 15:47 BST
29 August - 3 September 2004
Action from the Redwing Nationals on the Isles of Scilly © Redwings
The Redwing National Championships took place from 29th Aug to 3rd Sep 2004 on the Isles of Scilly.
Racing started on Sunday in a westerly force 4. R212 Gareth Shaw showed the way up the beat, followed by R214 Des Hocking and R226 Mark Carnell. Good downwind performance saw R226 take 1st immediately after rounding the gybe mark, progressing through the pack were defending champions R245 Ben & John Crabb. 1st R226 Mark Carnell, 2nd R245 Ben Crabb, 3rd R212 Gareth Shaw.
Race 2 was delayed following a heavy squall at the end of race 1, until the wind settled to a force 3-4 Westerly with sun shine. Cheating the tide the lead boats went to the right on the first beat and R246 and R241 rounded the mark with a reasonable lead. Identifying the gybe in an increasingly choppy sea proved difficult and positions changed R241 lead from R245 with R246 third. These positions remained until the last reach. 1st R245 Ben Crabb, from R241 Des Hocking and R226 Mark Carnell.
Monday saw moderate conditions with the starting beat from St. Marys to Tresco. The Port hand side of the course was favoured with R241 Des Hocking leading round the Windward mark from R212 Gareth Shaw, R245 Ben Crabb. As the race progressed R245 moved to second behind R241 these pulled away and on the final beat during a short tacking climax to the race the young Crabbs gave their father aboard R241 a stiff test at one point passing the veteran crew. But R241 Des Hocking held on to take the honours. The next places were closely fought to the line, with R242 loosing out, leaving R212 to shade R226 into fourth
Tuesday’s race was in very light Westerlies, with the tide pushing half the fleet over for a general recall a rare occurrence for the Redwings!! At the first weather mark R245 lead from R241, R205 and R226 with the rest of the fleet in hot pursuit. The tide was now slack and positions changed little. With no increase in the wind speed the race officer shortened to two rounds resulting in R245 Ben Crabb clinching a second win from R241 Des Hocking second and R226 Mark Carnell third.
On Thursday the fleet arrived to a light south westerly breeze on a beautiful, hot sunny day. R195 Mike Stace and Deanna Morton arrived at the windward mark first with R205 Peter Kinver right on their transom. With pressure from R241 Des Hocking Mike Stace succumbed the lead to R205 taking the lower course to the leeward mark, with the win never in doubt. The race also proved a success for R245 Ben Crabb who took 2nd place to clinch the 2004 championship.
The final race was very competitively sailed, R212 Gareth Shaw rounded 1st, with R226 Mark Carnell hot on their heels. The 1st reach saw the lead change, Mark Carnell in R226 showing good downwind form. Positions at the front remained unaltered during the 2nd beat but saw champion Ben Crabb take 2nd place on the next reach. Having established a comfortable margin, Mark Carnell worked the shifts up the right hand side to good effect, as did Cecil DuValle eventually finishing 3rd.
Overall Results:
Pos | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm | Crew | Club | Pts |
1st | 245 | Shytalk | Ben Crabb | John Crabb | Looe SC | 8 |
2nd | 226 | Dodo | Mark Carnell | Rob Libby | Looe SC | 12 |
3rd | 241 | Shamrock | Des Hocking | Colin Crabb | Looe | 12 |
4th | 212 | Jackatoo | Garath Shaw | Dave Jackman | Looe | 18 |
5th | 205 | Spirit of redherring | Peter Kinver | Dave Currah | Looe | 23 |
6th | 246 | Nightingale | Cecil DuValle | Francis Marshall | Looe | 32 |
7th | 195 | Sallyforth | Mike Stace | Deanna Morton | Tenby SC | 33 |
8th | 242 | Clifford | Dave Darlow | Dave Carlos | Looe | 35 |
9th | 244 | Dragon | Rolly Squibs | Mark Horne | Tenby | 41 |
10th | 166 | Roewing | Richard Vassey | Sam Haines | Looe | 42 |