Scorpion class at Carnac 2014

by Simon Forbes 1 Jun 2014 21:19 BST 24-27 May 2014

Racing at Carnac 2014 © John Murrell / www.fotoboat.com

Scorpion podium at Carnac 2014 © John Murrell / www.fotoboat.com

A long long time ago, in a pub far, far away, some were Scorpion sailors sheltering from the typical British weather. In typical fashion, after a couple of light beverages, they were dreaming of being somewhere a lot warmer and drier, and it was here that the idea of Carnac 2014 was born.

Upon arrival, it became clear, that the dream had become a reality and not only had we bought the best boats, but also the most with a fleet of 25 boats.

Saturday's fun handicap race was held in a stiff breeze, on an Olympic course with a sizeable sausage which was ideal for sending it large downwind for the Scorpions. After 2 laps the race was over, but the whole fleet were having so much fun we decided to do another lap just for the fun of it! (not because we had failed to notice we had finished!!!) Peter Gray and Rich Pepperdine (2022) finished as first Scorpion, followed by Baz Wolfenden and Rach Rhodes (2024). Ryan and Hannah Buchanan (2028) came in 3rd. That evening the fleet went off to watch the cup final, enjoyed several rum cocktails and Tarquin managed to earn himself a loyalty discount ice cream.

Sunday dawned ready for the first day of serious racing. The weather was light but very sunny. Race 1 got underway in a light breeze, the Scorpions were second fleet to start, and were almost sent the wrong way around the course following the Merlin's, but as we have a better sense of direction we corrected ourselves and completed the course correctly. Making most of the first beat and first round the windward mark was Jack Banks and Penny Jeffcoate (2017). They managed to hold onto this lead for the whole race, just fending off Pete Mitchell and Simon Forbes (2013) from their charge carving up the fleet after rounding the first windward mark in 7th. Son and father combo Alex and Andy Hayman (2021) finished 3rd, with Peter Gray and Rich Pepperdine (2022) just pipping Colin and Jenny Bradley finishing 4th and 5th respectively.

In the second race, Gray/Pepperdine pulled out a great lead, only to be found to be ocs. This gave the lead and impressive race win to Oli Wells (2033) despite having the handicap of Mr Wade crewing. 2nd went to Banks/Jeffcoate and 3rd Mitchell/Forbes. The fleet then retired to the respective steering committees and crews unions.

Day 3 started with many teams wearing dark glasses and discussing how they got various injuries and their methods of getting back to the campsites. The days racing was dominated by Gray/Pepperdine getting 2 bullets. Wolfenden/Rhodes and Mitchell/Forbes had a good battle to take the other podium spots in race 3. Buchanan/Buchanan found their form in race 4 taking second, with Mitchell/Forbes finishing the day with another 3rd.

The final day of racing started with a light but building breeze. Again Gray/Pepperdine get 2 bullets sealing up the event. John Clementson and Mel Titmus (2019) had their best day of the regatta getting 2nd with Wolfenden/Rhodes 3rd. The fleet were a bit more relaxed during race 5 as Alex Hayman managed to distract the jury boat by breaking his rudder pintel and getting a lift to shore.

The final race of the series ended up with Mitchell/Forbes leading the fleet from start to finish, only to find out at the finish they were ocs. This handed the race win to Gray/Pepperdine, with Wolfenden/Rhodes having a great battle with Wells/Wade finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.

This ended the regatta with Gray/Pepperdine taking the win, with Wolfenden/Rhodes taking second and Mitchell/Forbes 3rd.

Racing at Carnac 2014 - photo © John Murrell / www.fotoboat.com

A big thank you has got to be made to Tom Jeffcoate and his team of helpers for organising such a fantastic event and to Carnac Yacht Club for being great hosts. I hope I speak for the fleet in saying that we would love to come again to this fantastic event with fingers crossed even more boats!

Now to Datchet for the Inlands on June 7/8th before the Scorpion / Lark show down at Netly on the 14/15th... let's all get there to show those Larks that we have more fun and better turnouts!

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	Pts
1	2022	GRAY Peter	PEPPERDINE Rich	STAUNTON HAROLD	4	DNF	1	1	1	1	8
2	2024	WOLFENDEN Barry	RHODES Rachel	CHIPSTEAD	10	5	2	4	3	2	16
3	2013	MITCHELL Pete	FORBES Simon	HAYLING ISLAND	2	4	3	3	6	OCS	18
4	2017	BANKS Jack	JEFFCOATE Penny	WEST KIRBY SC	1	2	4	DNF	7	8	22
5	2033	WELLS OLI	WODE Dave	NORTHAMPTON	7	1	6	8	5	3	22
6	2028	BUCHANAN Ryan	BUCHANAN Hannah	LYME REGIS	8	8	10	2	4	11	32
7	2005	RITCHIE Janet	RITCHIE Alan	CHIPSTEAD	6	7	5	7	16	7	32
8	1939	SMITH Rob	SMITH Sandra	CASTLE COVE SC	19	13	7	5	11	9	45
9	2019	CLEMENTSON John	TITMUS Melanie	CHIPSTEAD SC	12	15	8	9	2	15	46.5
10	2014	PARSONS TIM		LYME REGIS SC	15	10	16	6	12	5	48
11	2021	HAYMAN Alex	HAYMAN Andrew	SIDMOUTH SAILING CLUB	3	6	13	OCS	DNF	6	54
12	1952	PEGG Elinor	PARRY Adam	YEALM YC	13	3	19	12	8	18	54
13	2001	REVILL Guy	WARBURTON Emma	SIDMOUTH SC	14	9	9	16	14	12	58
14	2032	MITCHELL STEVE	NEWMAN Polly	GRANDE‑BRETAGNE	22	12	18	9	17	4	60.5
15	1976	HARTLEY TIM	EDGE Hannah	STAUNTON HAROLD	OCS	14	12	15	15	10	66
16	1931	WALKER Steve	HANNABUSS Jerry	PENNINE SC	16	16	23	11	10	14	67
17	2030	BRADLEY COLIN	BRADLEY Jenny	PENNINE SC	5	11	22	14	21	21	72
18	2023	SEARLE Richard	SEARLE Lucy	WARSASH SC	11	18	15	OCS	9	20	73
19	2027	HAINES Carol	HAINES Jon	ELTON SC	9	17	14	17	18	17	74
20	2002	PUGH HELENA	PUGH Colin	POOLE YACHT CLUB	17	20	11	18	22	DNF	88
21	1930	CAM MARK	READ Mussell	HRSC	21	21	21	OCS	13	13	89
22	1936	HOLDEN Simon	PINNOCK William	KING GEORGE SC	20	23	17	13	DNF	22	95
23	1993	HAPGOOD Miles	SMITH Steve	SIDMOUTH SC	18	19	24	19	20	19	95
24	1959	YATES Chris	BARKER Dave	EASTBOURNE	24	22	20	DNF	19	16	101
25	1892	STEPHENS Alison	FORREST Christopher	CASTLE COVE SC	23	24	25	20	23	23	113