Sprint 15 Winter Traveller at Oxford Sailing Club

Sprint 15 Winter Traveller at Oxford © Stewart Pegum

The second event of the 5 race winter series took place at Farmoor reservoir on the 6th December 2014. Despite a very light forecast 13 hardy travellers joined the 2 local boats to rig up on a beautiful but cold and frosty winter's morning.

Great race organisation from the Oxford team saw the fleet start race 1 on time with a light and fluky breeze creating the usual snakes and ladders as the fleet edged up the first beat. Tricky shifts at the top mark caught out local sailor Simon Hare who decided a brush with the mark and subsequent penalty turn would be quicker than another 2 tacks.

Four laps were completed with plenty of place changes but the fleet eventually settled in and Stuart Snell (Grafham) took line honours with Paul Grattage and Stuart Pearce (Shanklin SC) in second and third.

Race 2 was quickly underway with a great start by all except Stuart Snell who was over at the pin end and had to return and re-cross the line. Liam Thom (Shanklin) was first at the top mark followed by Stewart Pegum (Oxford) with a clear lead over those who had gone right up the first beat. Over the next 3 laps the fleet slowly closed up with Stuart Snell, Paul Grattage and Liam Thom enjoying a close battle in the final lap. All were grateful for a shortened beat on the final lap and Stuart moved into first place with a short gybe on the last downwind leg to complete a clean sweep winning 2 out of 2. Liam came home second with Paul close behind in third.

The fleet were welcomed back at the clubhouse with a warming curry and short prize giving ceremony, the top 5 were Stuart Snell, Paul Grattage, Liam Thom, Steve Sawford and Stuart Pearce.

The winter series continues on the 10th January at Draycote SC and with Stuart Snell now having won the first 2 events he is looking hard to catch.

Overall Results: