Lymington Town Sailing Club Early Points Series - Race 7
by Alastair Beeton 23 Apr 2013 17:14 BST
21 April 2013
Magical conditions see Merlins in battle for top spot
For the first time in this 8 race series the sun and wind arrived in the correct combination for fantastic dinghy race conditions. Race Officer David Gorringe assisted by Nick Simmons with RIB crews Marc and Gillian Duncan, John & Pamela Martin, Matthew Harris and Rob Else set a windward leeward course for Fast Handicap.
The Fast Fleet were set a figure of eight course to include all the favourite angles for downwind sailing. The RS400 sailed by Heather Chipperfield and Kevin Podger won the start of the Fast Handicap just clearing the committee boat on starboard and out into the favourable side of the course for the stronger tide. A tactfully late start enabled Richard Lilley and Declan Clamp, in their newly acquired 49er, to avoid the congested line and take off to be leading the fleet at the first mark. Not looking back they eventually finished first on the water by a 15 minute margin.
Geoff Havers, reunited with crew Jo Barriball, in the 29er looked to be in good shape until an uncharacteristic spinnaker handling mistake dropped them from a top place finish down to third across the line.
The RS400s failed to capitalise on their early success with some poor navigation decisions, leaving Giles Chipperfield in his D-One to make the most of his opportunities to cross the line in second place chasing the 49er.
The 17 boat Medium Fleet start was won by Andrew Hurst in his Finn. One boat was over which caused a couple of sailors with guilty consciences to go back. At the windward mark Myles Mence, in the Blaze, was battling with Richard Russell, in the RS100, for top spot. Myles go the better on the 2nd tight reach when Richard could not quite lay the mark. The two Merlin Rockets were at it hammer and tongs in a battle for 3rd place on the water, with Louise Johnson and Mark Barwell, in their new boat "Strings Attached" holding off Nigel and Suzie Brooke. Tim Power in the RS Vareo was right on their heels looking for a chance to exploit any mistakes.
After 4 laps "Strings Attached" had got the upper hand with a big enough margin to win both on the water and on Handicap. Richard Russell had got in front of Myles Mence by 10 seconds but despite Richard's best efforts to cover Myles on the final leg to the finish it was not quite enough to beat him on handicap.
Everyone had a great time and the club house was buzzing after racing with returning sailors mixing with volunteers and potential members attending the LTSC open day. The last and deciding race of the series next week should be a humdinger.
Race 7 Results:
Fast Fleet
1st Giles Chipperfield (D-One)
2nd Geoff Havers and Jo Barriball (29er)
3rd Kevin Podger and Heather Chipperfield (RS400)
Medium Fleet
1st Mark Barwell and Louise Johnson (Merlin Rocket)
2nd Myles Mence (Blaze)
3rd Richard Russell (RS100)
There were no entries in the Slow Fleet.