Ladies Day at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

Ladies Race Day at Chew Valley Lake © Steve Smith

22 competitors enjoyed perfect conditions for the 2015 Ladies Day at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club (CVLSC).

Women's sailing at CVLSC is on a real high these days! There are delightful 'Lake and 'Cake' Saturday sessions monthly from April through October. These sessions encourage participation at any level, from first time sailors through to training and racing. Don't forget the amazing array of cakes, hot brews and good times shared at the end of the day! The Ladies Day itself was blessed with sunshine, warmth and moderate winds. Blue water against the delightful lush green backdrop of the Mendip Hills – does it get any better for an enjoyable day of on the water recreation?

The annual event kicked off with a scheduled morning training session, led by Vice Commodore Helen Martin. Helen's race start practice invigorated everyone that joined in!

The main event was the afternoon race series for the beautiful Ladies Trophy. The series comprised of three short races, each of around 20 minutes race length. The race team of John Rogers and Allen Marsh delivered superb racing. A true windward leeward course to challenge the sailors and match the ISAF world cup series. Even the race lengths were perfect!

The shifty conditions favoured those who sailed smart; spending the upwind legs on the lifted tack and finding the areas of pressure rolling down the course. Freya Cumptsy is an outstanding young squad sailor and she delivered a dominating performance with three race bullets.

Freya certainly didn't have it all her own way though! In Race 1 Sarah Harding pushed Freya hard right to the finish. Jan Frayne used her downwind speed to good effect to take third.

In Race 2 Jayne Masters used a good start and a superb upwind leg on lap 2 to bag second place. Jayne has been attending the CVLSC Thursday evening improvers' sessions and so it is really good to see the hard work paying off! Lizzie Cooke sailed a clean race to take the final podium spot.

In Race 3 it was Helen Martin and Laura Smith's turn to make the racing interesting for Freya. They were sailing superbly and 'wound Freya in' to get into the lead positions. This was really exciting stuff for the spectators ashore! To the bemusement of those watching, both Helen and Laura subsequently decided to take penalties for a perceived earlier infringement at the previous leeward mark. With Laura leading down the final downwind leg at the time, this action allowed Freya to sail comfortably home to victory. Jan Frayne had been hot on their heels and she took full advantage to take a deserved second. Helen Martin picked up her first podium position of the day with a strong recovery.

Wow - what an afternoon's racing! With everyone ashore it was time to light the BBQ, break out the drinks and enjoy the evening sunshine together! A mixture of the delightful live folk music, laughter and a few drinks helped nurse the happily exhausted minds and bodies.

See you all at the next 'Lake and Cake'!

Prize Winners: (from 22 entrants)

1st: Freya Cumpsty (1st Youth), Laser Radial
2nd: Jan Frayne, Laser Radial
3rd: Sarah Harding, Laser Radial
4th Lizzie Cooke, Topper
5th Laura Smith, Laser Radial

If you want to get involved in sailing at Chew then please find out more about us at www.chewvalleysailing.org.uk

Chew Valley Lake Ladies Race Day Prize Winners - photo © Steve Smith