GJW Direct Lark Nationals at Saundersfoot Sailing Club - Day 1
by Steve Hall 2 Aug 2015 20:43 BST
2-7 August 2015
The Larks have arrived at Saundersfoot in good spirits and seem to have brought the weather with them so far!
Race 1 started in glorious sunshine and 15-18 knots coming from the south bringing a decent sized swell along with it, the fleet were sailing on a trapezoidal course followed by a sausage over three laps. James Ward and Eluned Stewart got the fleet underway as pathfinders.
Alan Krailing and Joe Hunt were quick out of the gate and lead around the windward mark followed by Charlie Roome and Jeremy Stephens, and Ross and Jane Kearney. Alan/Joe stretched out a lead but were never headed, despite the attentions of Nigel Hufton/Will Kennedy. Charlie/Jeremy finished third with Pete Gray/Rach Rhodes close behind.
Race 2 started again on a trapezoid with Chris Holliman and Kate Hutchins as pathfinder, on a right hand favoured race track these two were always going to be in the running and one tack later they lead around the windward mark from Charlie Roome and Jeremy Stephens, Alan Krailing and Joe Hunt, James Goss and Nic Booth and Steve/Ally Hall.
The first reach was too tight to hold spinnakers, the first five boats managed to build a small gap on the chasing fleet giving some breathing room on the run, Charlie/Jeremy led onto the bottom reach followed by James/Nic and Chris/Kate.
On the bottom reach these boats all went high where as Steve/Ally worked the waves low to sail around the group and start the second beat in the lead. Positions stayed the same for the rest of the race with Steve/Ally leading from Charlie/Jeremy. Alan/Joe managed to work his way into third by virtue of James/Nic swimming at the bottom of the first sausage.
Thanks must go to Saundersfoot for so far making the fleet very welcome and turning the racing around very quickly today much to the appreciation of everyone involved, giving plenty of time for an afternoon on the beach crabbing!
Top three after two races:
1st Alan Krailing and Joe Hunt
2nd Charlie Roome and Jeremy Stephens
3rd Steve and Ally Hall