Handicap Open at Ripon Sailing Club
by Jennie Clark 18 Apr 2011 08:45 BST
17 April 2011
Phil Cawood, winner of the Ripon SC Handicap Open meeting © Jennie Clark
With a packed programme of events for 2011, Ripon SC held its first Open Meeting of the year on Sunday 17 April. Twenty-two boats competed in the 3 race event, with a large Streaker and Laser turnout augmented with Toppers, National Twelves, Enterprises, and Albacore and a British Moth.
The first race got underway in light conditions and glorious sunshine. Phil Cawood (Streaker) won the race, with Philip David/Caroline Clarke (National 12) in 2nd place and Richard Brook (Streaker) in 3rd place.
The wind freshened slightly for the second race, and changed direction right before the start leaving some struggling to cross the line. Bernard & Ellie Clark (National 12) flew off the line in clear air and established a good lead, only to be challenged by David/Clarke and the Lasers of Mike Eggleston and David Graham in the latter stages of the race. A nailbiting finish saw the two Lasers battling to get to the line and avoid the shallows (Eggleston did, Graham didn’t), with the two National 12’s side by side as they approached the line, with Clark and Clark crossing inches ahead of David/Clarke. Cawood nevertheless claimed the race on Handicap, with Eggleston 2nd and Clark/Clark 3rd.
The final race was sailed in the best wind of the day, and saw Cawood score a hat trick with yet another first. David/Clarke were second and Brook was third. Vice Commodore Andy Clark had his best race of the event to take 4th place in his Laser.
Special mention must be made of Junior members Rob Aitkin and Tilly Milnes (Toppers) – this was their first Open event and they sailed well in testing conditions and a large fleet.
Overall Results:
1st Phil Cawood, Streaker (Ripon SC)
2nd Philip David/Caroline Clarke, National 12 (Yorkshire Ouse SC)
3rd Richard Brook, Streaker (Ripon SC)
4th Bernard & Ellie Clark, National 12 (Ripon SC)
5th Mike Eggleston, Laser (Ripon SC)