Revett Winter Series at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club - Day 2
by Paul Heath 18 Nov 2015 15:30 GMT
15 November 2015
Another weekend and another 'fresh to frightening' forecast that kept the numbers down as this week only 26 boats dared to venture out for a blast (and a swim) around Pennington Flash.
After the usual pre-sail chatter about the expected wind strength, and while watching the dark wind gusts from the south west fly out across the water at increasingly more regular intervals, the competitors launched in a Force 4 which began to build as the boats made their way downwind to the committee boat anchored at the other side of the Flash.
By the time of the 7 boat Laser fleet start it was up to a Force 5. Those who opted for the radial rig made the bigger upwind gains but did suffer on the longer off wind legs. In the end the first home was the only full rig of the day, Oli Davenport (Redesmere SC) Haydn Griffiths (LLSC) was second, third Howard Green (LLSC) and Glynn Purnell (LLSC) fourth.
Handicap and junior fleet started next and there were only two takers in the handicap fleet these being the 505s of Chris Jones/Robert Temple (West Lancs YC) and Robert Campbell/Keith Summersgill (LLSC) It's great to see 505s back at Leigh & Lowton and watching them fly around was awesome. The crews seemed to be enjoying themselves as well and had close racing until Campbell/Summersgill took one swim to many and decided to call it a day while Jones/Roberts battled on and took the win.
There were 6 boats out in the junior fleet and, proving that they are tougher than the adults, it was the only fleet without a retirement in any of the days races. First on handicap was Emma McClusky (LLSC) in her Topper, second was the Optimist of Harvey Leigh (LLSC), third was Lorcan Knowles (LLSC) in his Topper and fourth Olivia Cuthbert (LLSC) in a laser 4.7
Next away was the 7 boat Asymmetric fleet who sailed a windward/leeward course. Making a guest appearance in a borrowed RS400 was Matt Mee crewed by Chris Robinson (Red Wharf Bat SC/Royal Windermere YC) During this race the wind picked up a little bit more with mega gusts which meant sailing downwind was full on and at times slightly scary and tippy. Mee/Robinson rounded the windward mark first and were never to be headed.
Caroline Exley/Jude Allen (LLSC – RS400) were second until they capsized (and not just the once) and as a result Martin Parker/Paul Heath (LLSC – RS400) moved up into second place but gear failure and a capsize put paid to them so Richard Catchpole/Gary Coop (LLSC – RS400) took over into the position that nobody else seemed to want and held it to the finish. Hamish Gledhill/Simon Dowse (West Riding SC) recovered from an early capsize to get into and hold third from the recovering and slightly damp Parker/Heath in fourth.
Last away, and starting in the most wind, were the 4 boat Solo fleet. With several capsizes between them it made it pretty close throughout as they played 'on the water leapfrog' and in the end it was Dave Kelsall (LLSC) who happily took the win from Chris Helsby (LLSC) Third was Brian Sprague (LLSC) with Nik James (LLSC) fourth.
After a well-earned lunch and recuperation we went out to do it all again although a few did call it a day.
In the Lasers Davenport claimed another win and Griffths another second. Oliver Blackburn came home in third and a very tired Green was fourth.
In the handicap fleet it was again only the two 505s and the race and result went the same way.
Sam Cooper (West Lancs YC) thought that it wasn't windy enough for him in the first race but did rig up and sail in this one and he took the win in his Topper. Leigh had to settle for another second, George Williams (Chester SC) a third in his Topper and Emma McClusky fourth.
In the Asymmetrics Mee/Robinson managed to squeeze in a 'port end flyer' despite the very close attention of Catchpole/Coop. The wind was now gusting around 25-30 knots as they rounded first and again sailed off from the rest of the fleet but not far enough ahead that they were not seen to capsize at the windward mark. Parker/Heath rounded second but were caught by Catchpole/Coop who then capsized at the leeward mark and later called it a day.
Parker/Heath were now second and held it to the end despite the close attention of Gledhill/Dowse who capsized close to windward of them on a gybe allowing Parker/Heath to inspect their burgee from close quarters. Gledhill/Dowse did eventually recover to claim third as Exley/Allen called it a day after more swimming.
Only 3 Solos for the last race and in this one Helsby went one better to take the win. James showed his true colours by taking second and a very tired Kelsall came home in third.
Many thanks to the race team for getting in the two races and to the safety teams who were worked hard and earned every ones gratitude due to everybody at some point had a swim during the races.
If you want to join us full for the Tipsy series or the IOCA North Optimist training days and winter championships details can be found at: www.llsc.org.uk/1/2015/10/entries-for-the-uks-biggest-club-winter-program-are-open
Full results of this series: www.llsc.org.uk/1/LLSC/Results/2015/Revett.htm