Blithfield Barrel Series - Day 2
by Chris Martin 9 Dec 2013 05:25 GMT
8 December 2013
Fifty-seven boats came to contest the second round of the Barrel series sponsored by Dinghytec. The unseasonably nice weather drawing out a few more entries than the first round to take part in what was very much a day of two halves!
The breeze seemed quite settled as we launched, a nice force two to three though more was expected. Race officer Peter Male set a pretty square line and the fleet got away at the first attempt though a few fell foul of the black flag. The left hand side looked like it should be favoured but in the five minutes leading up the start the wind had started to go patchy and a relatively large gust on the right hand side of the beat bought in those who tacked early out from the line. The Osprey of Chris Gould and Nick Broomhall took the lead and promptly did a horizon job as the wind died and became more and more patchy as the race went on. Chris and Nick easily won the race on handicap, with the Merlin Rockets of Andy Davis crewed by Tom Pygall and Simon Potts crewed by Tom Gillard second and third respectively.
Lunch ensued, thanks to the Ladies in the galley.
As the fleet came ashore the wind which had died almost totally had started to make a return, along with a shift round to the right. The forecast breeze arrived, albeit late and the second race took place in champagne conditions for December.
Again the black flag caught out a few, and again the right hand side paid dividends. The Fireball of Dave Wade and his crew rounded first with the Osprey and several Merlins in hot pursuit. There were a number of casualties in the gusty conditions, and the reaches saw many a grin for the cameraman!.
The Fireball of Dave Wade and his crew won the race both on the water and on handicap, with Simon and Tom taking second and Chris Martin and Joe Tosh third in another Merlin.
Thanks to Peter and his team for running the racing, and the team in the galley for feeding everyone. Thanks also to everyone who came sailing.
The next round of the Barrel will take place on the 12th January. See you there.
Provisional results can be found on the www.blithfield.org.uk website.