Easter Regatta at Rock Sailing & Water Ski Club
by George Dale 27 Apr 2011 08:21 BST
22-25 April 2011
A fine start to the season
Some of the best weather for many years made for a great start to racing at Rock Sailing & Water Ski Club. Although the winds were generally light, they were sufficient to ensure some tight racing for the two fleets: 20 Lasers, competing for the Bowden Trophy, an open event, and 27 Club boats taking part in the Easter Chase.
Friday was scheduled for a practice race but at 6.30 in the evening the wind was too light to make this practicable. However, the following morning saw both fleets taking to the water in a Force 2 breeze. The Laser fleet was sub-divided into two: those with a standard rig and those with the smaller Radial rig for lighter helms. Race 1 was won by Steve Smith from Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club, with Duncan Whitrow in second place and Stuart Richardson third. The Easter Chase Race 1 was won by David and John Wade in their Wayfarer Black Pearl followed by Becky Priest and Tim Saunders from Staunton Harold Sc in their Fireball The New Bossy and in third place were Toby and Henrietta Courtauld in their Devon Yawl Second Wind.
On Sunday two races were run back to back. In race two, Steve Smith was again the winner for the Lasers followed by Peter Sherwin and Julian Cooke. In Race 3 for the Lasers Peter Sherwin was the winner with Steve Smith second and Duncan Whitrow third. In the Easter Chase Tom Offer in his foiling Moth came first with Becky Priest second and Dave Wade third. Race 4 saw Becky Priest in first place followed by Dave Wade and with Toby Courtauld in third place.
Monday again brought hazy sunshine and a Force 2/3 breeze for the final race. At the final count, the winner of the Bowden Trophy was Steve Smith, Duncan Whitrow was second and Peter Sherwin third. The Laser Radialswere racing as a separate class where the winner was Cath Lloyd, while in second place was Cath’s brother Rob and third was Helen Martin.
The Easter Chase was won by The Wades in their Wayfarer, second were Becky Priest and Tim Saunders. In third place were Dave and Jeanie Oakey in another Fireball and in fourth place were Toby and Henrietta Courtauld in the Devon Yawl.
Race Officer Chris Creak set a variety of courses over the weekend to provide interest for the sailors and overall, this was a most successful start to the sailing season.
In the Clubhouse, Chef Henry Waterworth ensured everyone was well catered for with a fish night on Friday, a brunch on Saturday and light refreshments and lunches available over the weekend. Earlier, a curry night at the Club attracted 60 members and their friends.