National 12 Burton Week 2014 at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club - Day 1
by Sophie Richards 24 Aug 2014 08:55 BST
23-26 August 2014
National 12 Burton Week campsite © Sophie Richards
Glorious sunshine greeted the competitors at Pevensey Bay for the start of what is emerging to be a tightly contested competition.
Race 1 saw the breeze increasing to up to 20 knots with a westerly wind and sea conditions building. William Warren and Sophie Mackley having picked up a good shift on the left of the beat rounded the windward mark in first place. They were hotly pursued by Jon Ibbotson and Charlotte Stewart as well as Tom Stewart and Andrea Ralph down the planing reaches. At the end of the run on lap 2 Tom and Andrea took the lead, which they almost held on to the line. However, by missing the shortened course flag they let William and Sophie back in to take the bullet.
Jeremy Hartley and son Luke were flying down the reaches to be the first non-foiling boat and the vintage fleet were out in force with Brian Kitching and Olivia Stodieck crossing the line as first vintage boat.
Race 2 saw the oscillating shifts increase and the gusts continued to build. The added obstacle of a lobster pot at the windward mark also added extra excitement to the course! Tom and Andrea made up for their earlier mistake by leading from the windward mark and holding on to that lead for the duration of the race. Steve and Joanne Sallis also made the most of the breezy conditions taking second place with Kevin Iles and Pip Jefferis closely battling Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne to third place.
In the second race first non-foiler and first admirals cup boat was Matt Reid and Emily Fardell impressively sailing their Freak Out design through the waves. Brian and Olivia also continued to extend their lead over the vintage fleet coming in as first vintage boat.
Whilst it was hard work on the water, Pevensey Sailing club also worked incredibly hard with superb help on the shore for launching and landing, as well as an incredible barbeque, which rejuvenated the hungry sailors, who are looking forward to the slightly lighter winds on Sunday.
Results after Day 1: (top three)
1. Tom Stewart and Andrea Ralph
2. Steve Sallis and Joanne Sallis
3. William Warren and Sophie Mackley