Optimist South West Area Champs at Bowmoor Sailing Club
by Jennie King 20 Jun 2000 10:24 BST
Photos © Gordon Frickers
Bowmoor Optimist Open & SW Area Championships - 17 June 2000
A record number of Optimists, 93, filled Bowmoor Lake for the open meeting on 17 June; over a third were representatives of the home club. It was a perfect sailing day with light to moderate southerly winds, blue sky and bright sunshine. The Gold fleet of 56, comprising the regular racers started first and made good pace around the course in a F2/3 hiking breeze. There was some bunching at the first leeward mark as the fleet compressed from behind with the usual protestations for "water". The first fleet soon spread themselves as the Silver fleet made their start. Race Officer, Phil King was conscious with his course-laying not to allow the senior fleet to cross the juniors as they made their start and to set a course so that binoculars would not always be necessary! By the end of the first lap, the Gold leaders of James Royston, Bewl, Ben Paton, Lymington, and Philip Lasko, Bowmoor, had pulled away nicely from the pursuing pack and finished in that order. Sailing just one lap and a beat, the Silver fleet winner was Ian McKeeman from the home club from fellow club sailor, Imogen Stanley and Peter Trevis-Bell, Lymington came in 3rd.
The second race was sailed back to back and had allowed time for the Silver sailors to nip ashore for a quick break. A different course was laid, starting from the far end of the lake in the shifting breeze, which was constantly changing from light to gusty - taking a few sailors by surprise. Start-line discipline slipped for Race 2 with a general recall necessary. Discipline returned with the introduction of Flag I and this race saw new faces at the front of the Gold fleet. Laura Farrell, Draycote lead the way before being challenged by David Evans from British Steel. Evans took the gun from Farrell with James Royston, (the previous winner) finishing third ahead of James Murdock, Bowmoor, improving to 4th. In the Silver fleet, nine year old Lucy de Boltz from Corinthian Otters, found the conditions to her liking, and took a comfortable win from Luke Perry, Papercourt, followed by Michael Murdock, Bowmoor. Over lunch the galley was kept busy providing meals and litres of squash!
With another course change to keep the competitors on their toes, and Flag I in use from the first start, it allowed a clear start to Race 3 just after 3pm. Local girl, Christina King lead for a time but allowed club rival, James Murdock through on a shift. King managed to regain the lead on the next shifty beat and hold her lead to the gun. Murdock, took second place and Oliver Dix, Hayling Island, sailing consistently well all day, finished in third. In the Silver fleet, the younger Murdock brother, Michael was out in front holding off the challenges from Lucy de Boltz and Pippa Holloway, Burghfield. Charlie Makepeace from Bowmoor, who started sailing at Easter, had his best result of the day finishing in 12th place.
Once the results were compiled, prizegiving took place before the traditional huge Bowmoor tea. Philip Lasko and Christina King were presented with embroidered Gill sailing tops from their home club for selection into the Optimist National Squad in 2000. (Tom Stuart was not present to receive his.) Winner of the South West Area Championships was Clare Chapple from Guernsey YC with Graham Frickers from Royal Plymouth CYC, second.
In the Silver fleet, prizes were awarded to Oliver White, (29th) Papercourt, leading 8 year old sailor and to the first three girls and boys. In the Gold fleet, Claire Lasko, (25th =), Bowmoor was the leading 10 year old, and Sophie Ainsworth, (24th), Bewl, leading 11year old.
Results:
Silver fleet:
1st, Lucy de Boltz
2nd, Michael Murdock
3rd, Ian Mckeeman
4th, Imogen Stanley
5th, Luke Perry
6th, Pippa Holloway
Gold fleet:
1st, James Royston
2nd, David Evans
3rd, James Murdock
4th, Christina King
5th, Oliver Dix
6th, Laura Farrell
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