Fireball Open Meeting at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

Rhys Lankester and John Piatt compete at Chew © Errol Edwards

Peter Gifford and David Nash compete at Chew © Errol Edwards

Saturday provided tough racing conditions, with 40 degree shifts and wind strengths from F1 to F4. The Local boats got off to a flying start in Race 1, with Ralph Singleton and Marisa Foster winning the start and leading the fleet round the windward mark closely followed by Anthony and James Willcocks and Mark and Helen Dinwoodie. Ralph and Marisa held on to their lead to take the win. Mark and Helen dropped back following gear failure, letting Derian and Andy Scott through for 2nd, closely followed by Colin and Derek Jarvis and then Rhys Lankester and John Piatt.

Ralph and Marisa again lead up the first beat of the second race, but got blown away on a tight first reach as the wind strengthened to Force 4. After tight racing Derian and Andy managed to take starboard tack advantage from Simon Lomas-Clarke and Richard Anderton for the race win, with Ralph and Marisa taking third.

Race 3 started in sunshine and a Force 4, but dropped to a Force 1 by the finish, with the first 3 boats finishing in the same order as Race 2.

The Met Office covered most options for Sunday with a forecast of 7mph, gusting 51mph. Competitors arrived at Chew on Sunday to be greeted by big waves and a raging wind – closer to the top end of the forecast! Following a postponement, and the fleet electing to stay ashore until conditions eased, Race 5 started in a southerly Force 5-6.

Simon and Richard lead round the windward mark, but executed a spectacular wipeout on the 2nd reach to let Derian and Andy into the lead, which they held to the finish. Ralph and Marisa chased them round for to take 2nd and Elaine and Graham Slater took 3rd.

The fifth and final race was started in wild conditions. Simon and Richard blasted off the start and were never challenged for the lead. Derian and Andy managed to take second place, with Elaine and Graham taking 3rd.

Derian and Andy won the event, with Simon and Richard taking 2nd from Ralph and Marisa on count-back. Anthony and James Willcocks showed that fitness and good skills can overcome a lack of lard on the windy Sunday and took the Under 21 prize.

Thanks go to all at Chew involved in providing a great weekend sailing, but in particular to Peter Sherwin for running an excellent weekend of racing in very challenging conditions.

Overall Results: