Comet Trio Inland Champs at Whitefriars Sailing Club

Whitefriars SC hosted the Comet Trio Inlands Championship, Sat. and Sun. 26-27th June 2010, the hottest weekend of the year so far and attracted 11 entries. Unfortunately on the Sat. there was no wind. Perhaps, with some imagination, there was an occasional zephyr from the SE.

Consequently the first “race” was a lottery. Asymmetric spinnakers were used as big genoas. At one point some Comet Versas (also at this venue), that had started 5 mins. later, sailed over the top of us! David and Richard Talbot in Ariel were first to limp over the finish line, the course having been shortened from 10 laps to 2.

Race 2: Guy Farrant and Marilynn Booker in Go with the Flow were first over the line, but by the windward mark (all of 100 yards away) were second from last. The occasional zephyr came from all directions. 2 laps of purgatory were enough with Richard Salliss and Carole Williams in Red Baron first. This meant that overnight there were 3 boats equal first on points.

Sunday: Another very hot sunny day. Fortunately there was a workable breeze from the SW which allowed full use of the lake and some sensible racing.

Race 3 saw Go with the Flow first around the windward mark and thence built a handsome lead in clear air. Red Baron and Steve Ashford and Martin Yeomans in Scarlet Lady had a long battle, with Red Baron prevailing to gain second place.

Race 4 Scarlet Lady was first to the windward mark. However this lead was lost in a wind shadow allowing Red baron and Go with the Flow to pass to secure first and second places respectively.

Race 5 Go with the Flow had a bad race. Over the line with several others and had to go back. Hit a mark and had to do a turn. Had to give room to Kate and Andrew McArthur in Exetractor at another mark. Thereafter chasing Red Baron third to get fourth. Ariel first, Scarlet Lady second. So after 5 races and allowing for a discard, there were 3 boats all first equal on points; Ariel, Red Baron, Go with the Flow.

Race 6 Pin end bias. Go with the Flow was early and had to go around the pin. On the beat up the gut it was John and Tom Andrews in Lionel first around the windward mark, closely followed by Scarlet lady, Red baron and Go with the flow. By going the slightly longer East route down the gut to avoid the wind shadow, Go with the Flow pulled away into clear air and a good margin to secure the championship.

Thanks to Whitefriars SC and chief organiser Steve Ashford.

Overall Results: