Streaker Open Meeting at Ulley Sailing Club
by David Rowlands 20 Jul 2014 12:21 BST
19 July 2014
Part of the Northern Paddle series sponsored by Sail Register
With the day dawning wet, grey and windless the ten boats entered
in this Open Meeting had little hope of competitive racing on arrival
at Ulley.
The light easterly wind forecast failed to materialize and by start time
a north westerly force 1-2 settled. This allowed a short concentrated race
with the emphasis on staying in the light gusts. Sal Radcliffe from Scammonden
SC pulled out a lead which she held up to the final shot beat to the line
where a close cross tacking duel with Chris Wright (Ripon SC) ended
with the Ripon boat crossing first.
After the lunch break, including rain and no wind, a moderate easterly filled
in which allowed a second race with a new course. The close first beat was
headed by Alan Ward (Ulley S. C.) who extended his lead
throughout the race to emerge as a clear winner.
Behind Alan, in the decreasing
breeze, there was much place changing, Sal Ratcliffe losing an early second place dropped to
fifth before recovering to third. Ian Lees (Scammonden SC) sailed consistently in
race two to take second over the line.
With the wind rapidly fading, race three was cancelled leaving four competitors
each with five points from two races. The ties were split leaving the final
result below.
Top 4 results:
1st Alan Ward, Ulley SC
2nd Chris Wright, Ripon SC
3rd Ian Lees, Scammonden SC
4th Sal Ratcliffe, Scammonden SC