Access Class Traveller Trophy at Notts County Sailing Club

Access class Traveller Series at Notts County © Ron Sawford

Access class Traveller Series at Notts County © Ron Sawford

Access class Traveller Series at Notts County © Ron Sawford

The weather, or more precisely, the rain dominated the meeting. The previous night's forecast was for 5 miles an hour winds, gusting to 21 miles an hour, overcast with rain commencing at 4.00pm. In reality the day started grey and overcast with 5 mile an hour wind, but the rest of the forecast was well adrift.

Despite the dismal prospect 10 boats assembled to race. The OOD, Graham Sheard, held the briefing by the slipway at 10.35 and the boats were all afloat and heading to the start just after 11.00 o'clock.

The Liberty boats were first away with Simon Harle gaining an advantage with a pin end start which he never lost. The 303s were more spaced out, but the 203s had close racing throughout. However, the rain started to pour down during the start sequences, and as it fell it killed the wind. The racing was held with ever decreasing wind and the 2.3s had their race shortened to one lap only. A shorter course was laid for the second race, but in view of the conditions the OOD postponed racing until after lunch.

I think it right to say that lunch was enjoyed by all and several competitors were carrying more ballast in the afternoon than they did in the morning. Conditions picked up during the lunch break, and racing re-started at 1.47pm. The Liberty boats had a close race throughout, and again the 2.3s again enjoyed close racing. Disappointingly, the rain started again just after 2.00 o'clock and continued throughout the day. Joe Taylor (Liberty) and Pat Crowley (2.3) retired before the 3rd race which finished at 3.00 despite falling winds, and in time for a 4th race to be held.

Conditions remained pretty dismal and the 303s were the only classes to participate in this last race which finished at 3.45, in time for all the boats to be out of the water by 4.00pm.

After a break to pack up the boats, dry off, enjoy a snack, a chat and the bar being open, the glassware was handed out by the club's Commodore Rachel McEvoy. Thanks were given to those on the Committee boat, the safety boat crews, who were as wet and cold as the competitors, the hoist operators, the organisers in general and Pauline in the galley who never fails to provide meals to remember.

Finally, as the competitors towed their boats away the skies cleared and, at last, the rain stopped.

Overall Results:

Access 2.3
1st Lindsay Burns (Frensham Pond)
2nd John Combes (Rutland)
3rd Pat Crowley (Rutland)

Access 303 (One Person)
1st Monique Foster (Frensham Pond)
2nd Tessa Watkiss (Frensham Pond)
3rd Paul Phillips (Frensham Pond)

Access 303 (Two Persons)
1st Chris Emmett & Malcolm Kirk (Rutland)
2nd Leslie Phillips & Hugh Lansdowne (Tideway London)

Access Liberty
1st Simon Harle (Rutland)
2nd Joe Taylor (Notts County)