Comet Open at Crawley Mariners Yacht Club
by Donal Roche 13 May 2013 07:40 BST
12 May 2013
Ian Stone wins the Crawley Mariners Comet open © Donal Roche
Decidedly blustery conditions greeted the twenty three Comets which turned out at Hedgecourt lake for the Crawley Mariners Comet Open. The wind was Westerly F4 but with strong gusts which varied in direction. The format was for two short races back to back in the morning and again in the afternoon.
The fleet was over eager for the first start with four boats identified as OCS of which two returned to restart. Ian Stone sailed an exemplary first lap to take the lead position which he held for the rest of the race. Mike Weaver finished in second.
Subsequent starts were more restrained and on race two Ian found himself in 10th at the end of lap 1. He then worked his way up through the fleet and made no mistakes posting a pole position in this and the next race to secure first overall.
There was some spectacular close racing and even more spectacular wipe out capsizes in the strong gusting wind. Everyone appeared to enjoy their day on the water.
Overall Results:
1st Ian Stone
2nd Bob Dodds
3rd Michael Etterham
4th Simon Thompson
5th Mike Weaver