High wind challenge accepted at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
by Dave Baxter 2 Apr 2015 12:37 BST
29 March 2015
Kate Mellor crewing for Dave Baxter in a Vago 'Sharknado' in strong winds at Yorkshire Dales © Paul Hargreaves
The weather warnings were plentiful around the country in the days running up the weekend of the 28th and 29th of March 2015. Too windy to sail some said. Too windy to sail some decided. For the heavy weather sailors at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, a forecast like that is a
challenge.
Twelve boats made it to the startline in the morning for two back to back races during the anticipated lull in the wind. There then followed a lunchtime of watching the wind build towards the expected 30mph with 40mph+ gusts during race three. As start time arrived, three boats ducked out to watched the expected wind roll in and cause the expected mayhem, much to the glee of the now chop hopping and airborne windsurfers.
Three boats didn't make it to the finish. There were capsizes. For the rest, challenge accepted and met.
Race 3 Order of survival:
1 Graham Tinsley, Laser
2 Mike Saul, Aero 7
3 James Tulley, Laser Radial
4 Dave Baxter & Kate Mellor, Vago
5 Malcolm Yates, Sprint 15 Sport
6 Mick Collins, Vortex