Comet Trio National Championships at Royal Torbay Yacht Club
by Steve Ashford 27 Jun 2012 11:30 BST
22-24 June 2012
12 boats from 4 clubs were attracted to Torbay for this 3 day event. Unfortunately Friday's racing had to be abandoned due to the very strong wind, so the 7 races were rescheduled – 4 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.
Saturday brought less wind but still Force 5 with some serious gusts on the triangle sausage course. Leading at the first mark was Scarlet Lady followed by Piglet and Exe t'sea. Scarlet Lady wiped out in a vicious gust on the final run to let Piglet and Go with the Flow first and second with Scarlet Lady recovering to take third, Pebbles fourth and Exe t'sea in fifth with helm Bob sporting a gash on the head after capsizing.
A further 3 races back to back were really a test of stamina, with memorable screaming reaches and numerous capsizes. Race 3 saw Exe t'sea beat Piglet for the first time- it can be done.
RTYC hosted a meal in the evening, which was well attended and much appreciated.
Fortunately on Sunday the wind was a moderate NW 2-3 for race 5 but with big shifts there were many place changes. The wind increased and became more disturbed for race 6, and Piglet notched up their 5th win to secure the championship.
For race 7 the wind veered and for the first time the committee boat was the place to start. Exe t'sea sailed a superb race to gain his second win and secure 2nd overall, and at last the sun appeared for a pleasant warm end to the day.
Thank you to RTYC for running a superb championship.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Piglet | 472 | Andrew McAusland | Caroline McAusland | Exe | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 5 |
| 2nd | Exe T'Sea | 394 | Bob Horlock | Colette Horlock | Exe | -5 | 2 | 1 | -7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| 3rd | Scarlet Lady | 476 | Steve Ashford | Glenn Francis | Paignton | -3 | -3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 12 |
| 4th | Go with the flow | 428 | Guy Farrant | Marilynn Booker | Exe | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | -5 | -5 | 4 | 18 |
| 5th | Pebbles | 484 | Frankie Upton | Rosey Davies | Exe | 4 | -5 | 5 | 3 | -6 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
| 6th | Ariel | 365 | David Talbot | Mark ? | Hawley Lakes | -8 | -6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 28 |
| 7th | Daisy | 443 | Keith Lawson | Hazel Lawson | Exe | -7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | -8 | 33 |
| 8th | Woozle | 450 | Bill Gott | Jon Whitfield | Exe | 6 | -10 | -10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 39 |
| 9th | No Worries | 368 | Nick Webber | Don Blackett | Exe | -9 | -9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 43 |
| 10th | Mayniac | 348 | Sam Mayne | Chris Mayne/Junior? Mayne | Hawley Lakes | (DNF) | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | -11 | 10 | 46 |
| 11th | Out of the blue | 418 | James Smyth | Scouts | Somerset Scouts | (DNF) | (DNF) | DNF | DNF | 11 | 10 | 11 | 58 |
| 12th | Comet Trio | 451 | Stephen Sharp | Scouts | 1st Watchet Sea Scouts | 10 | 11 | (DNF) | (DNF) | 12 | DNF | 12 | 58 |