N.E.C.R.A. Spring Series at Royal Quays Marina, Tynemouth
by Matthew Simms 6 May 2005 09:57 BST
Action from the N.E.C.R.A. Spring Series at Royal Quays Marina, Tynemouth © Matthew Simms
This year’s series saw another increase in the entries attracting crews from all over the North of England.
The racing started in a typical grey southeasterly with a reasonable swell reminding everyone about the joys of the North Sea. Aeolus (BH 36) soon took the lead on the first beat but was hotly followed by the Melges 24, Auf Wiedersehen Pet. This became the closest rivalry for the whole series. The next group as headed by Kit Off (Corby25) Mutley (Laser SB3) and Join the Club (Sigma 8) These boats took all the first places throughout the series with the weather varying between the initial breezy south easterly to light and shifty conditions with sunshine.
Aeolus finally went on to win class 1 and took the overall prize but just pipped Auf Wiedersehen Pet by the narrowest margin but well clear of Kit Off who just held off Mutley for third. Join The Club won the coveted prize for first Sigma 8 from Buddy and Mad Dogs.
Class 2 was not quite as well supported but stayed just as competitive with Odin (Everitt 27) setting the early pace winning both the first two races but Diamond (Dubois ¼ ton and NFI (Formula 28) came back into the reckoning in the following races. Diamond sailed a faultless last day to take both races and the title with the most firsts.
The series was particularly successful thanks to the support from Royal Quays Marina and the excellent race management team from Tynemouth Sailing Club headed by Howard Steavenson
Overall Results:
Class 1:
1st Aeolus, Eric Van Waart (Royal Northumberland Yacht Club)
2nd Auf Weitersein Pet, Ken & Phil Murray (Royal Northumberland Yacht Club)
3rd Kit Off, Stuart Edmundson (Sunderland Yacht Club)
Sigma 8:
1st Join the Club, R. Cook & S.Douthwaite (Derwent Res. SC)
2nd Buddy, Colin Davidson (Royal Northumberland Yacht Club)
3rd Mad Dogs, Alan Baker (Tynemouth SC)
Class 2:
1st Diamond, Graydon Dawson (Sunderland Yacht Club)
2nd Odin, Mathew Simms (Tynemouth SC)
3rd NFI, Jonathan Holmes (Sunderland yacht Club)