Sunday Winter Series at Lymington Town Sailing Club - Day 6
by Barry Sticklen 15 Nov 2011 11:13 GMT
13 November 2011
David Gautier wins the Fast fleet Winter series © Barry Sticklen
Race 6 was sailed on an overcast chilly Sunday morning, on November 13th. The wind was coming from the East at 18 knots gusting 23. The strong spring tide was flooding for most of the morning so it was wind over a lot of tide.
Richard Russell would be the Race Officer this morning assisted by William Dear. Ten fast fleet boats had signed on as had 13 medium fleet boats. The course was set of Yacht Haven, West, Walbank, Baverstock, Yacht Haven, West Inner, finish, all marks to starboard. The fast fleet would be set 3 laps & the medium fleet 2 laps. Both fleets would eventually be shortened though with the fast fleet finishing on two laps & Medium one lap.
The first leg would see quite a few capsizes and there seemed to be a delay in both fleets hoisting spinnakers, not surprising really, considering the conditions. Nigel Walbank in his Musto Skiff went on to take line honours in the fast fleet from Geoff Havers & Kate Smethurst in their 29er. They would be followed by Mike & June Baker in their Laser 4000 with David Gautier in his Contender being last of the finishers. The remaining fast fleet boats either did not finish, did not start, or turned back from the Lymington River entrance.
When the elapsed times were corrected David would climb to the top of the leader board relegating Nigel to Second. Tim would keep third.
The Medium fleet faired little better overall but Myles Mence in his Blaze was again Blazing away, miles ahead. Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen in their Laser Stratos would take 2nd some 6 minutes behind with Tim Knight Laser taking 3rd over the water. Only six of the medium fleet finished the shortened course, with the remainder again being scored as did not start or did not finish. When the race elapsed times were corrected this time, the finishing order remained the same.
Fast Fleet
1st David Gautier, Contender
2nd Nigel Walbank, Musto Skiff
3rd Geoff Havers & Kate Smethurst, 29er
Medium Fleet
1st Myles Mence, Blaze
2nd Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen, Laser Stratos
3rd Tim Knight, Laser