Access Class TT at New Forest and District Sailability

Access Class TT at New Forest and District Sailability © Ron Sawford

Access Class TT at New Forest and District Sailability © Ron Sawford

Access Class TT at New Forest and District Sailability © Ron Sawford

Summer arrived at last and we were blessed with wonderful sailing weather – sun and wind together. Wow! 21 hopeful competitors also arrived and were met by an enthusiastic team of volunteers with tea, coffee and bacon rolls.

As is usual at these gatherings, time seemed to gather speed and with boats off-loaded, signing in and "hellos" it was soon 10:15 and time for the all important briefing.

Simon Walworth, Chairman of Spinnaker Club, welcomed the visitors to New Forest and Mike Robinson, Race Officer, soon had everyone heading for the water. It took only 20 minutes for all the boats to be afloat. Is this a record?

The course was a simple triangular shape with a gate through the start/finish line and even Martin had no trouble finding his way. As usual, the brisk northerly wind brought strong gusts and the usual fickle shifts caused by trees and islands.

The biggest fleet was the 303s with eleven one-person and five two-person boats. There were three in the Liberty fleet but only two 2.3s.

The hardest fought races were in the Liberty fleet with Tom Harper (only the second time on the water this year) and Vince Barton giving David Durston a hard run for his money.

The 2.3s were led by Lindsay Burns from Frensham Pond Sailability, and Frensham sailors Peter and Peta Etherton and Tessa Watkiss took line honours in both the 303 fleets.

Martin would like it noted that he made a fantastic start in the second race at the committee boat end of the line and led the field round the first lap only to tack into a hole which allowed five Frensham sailors to pass and beat him to the windward mark. First to sixth in one ill-conceived tack! Paul Philips congratulating him on splitting the top six Frensham sailors in the final results!

Prizes were hand-crafted by potter Beryl Bull and were awarded by Malcolm Bentley, NFDS new Chairman, and Eric Blyth, President. The day ran very smoothly thanks to all the volunteers and some mention must be made of the galley and the food. And don't forget the cakes!

Access 2.3 Class results:

First - Lindsay Burns from Frensham Pond
Second – Christine David from Frensham Pond

Access 303 One Person Class results:

First place – Tessa Watkiss from Frensham Pond
Second – James Woosnam from Frensham Pond
Third – Monique Foster from Frensham Pond

Access 303 Two Person Class results:

First – Peter and Peta Etherton from Frensham Pond
Second – Andy Sheath and Kate Lintott from Frensham Pond
Third – Leslie Philip and Hugh Lansdowne from Tideway, London

Access Liberty Class results:

First Place – David Durston from Whitefriars
Second – Tom Harper from New Forest
Third – Vince Barton from New Forest