Rooster 4000 Series at Stokes Bay Sailing Club

by Steve Cockerill 23 Apr 2016 17:38 BST 16-17 April 2016

The first of the 4000 series got underway at Stokes Bay with some notable runner and riders missing. Perhaps the drive to the South Coast or the poor forecast held them at home.

The 6 teams that started were treated to some of the best (or worst) of Stokes Bay fickle light offshore breeze with strong cross tide could throw at them.

The Race Committee did the sailors and themselves proud by keeping the windward mark to windward and at the same time setting a course that was both safe for the many fleets taking part and challenging for those who could not count.

With more than just some local knowledge, Steve and Sarah retuned from injury to take all the races bar the one in which they could not count. The winter weight loss program had taken them from rack 5 to rack 7 and from 2 weights to 3 weighs. Their performance was in line with last years so once again, the weight and leverage equalisation continues to work.

Richard and Joe had some sparking form in the sub 10 knot conditions taking some strong second places, but are looking for the extra gear in over 12 knots. Watch out when they do.

John and Fran, the experienced ones in the fleet managed to borrow Steve's spare boat 'Skippy' and overcame the other contenders to take second overall despite finding that the 'wing wang' setting was back to front to the normal way. opps Steve should have warned them. tee hee.

Neil and Joe were once again consistent to hang onto third, picking up a string of seconds and thirds.

David and Matt - the heavy weights - (well they are currently off the scale) found themselves quick in the stronger breezes, rounding 1st in a couple of races. They are remaining positive with Garda on the horizon; after all we will be sailing at the windy end this year. Despite that, Matt is keen to get his weight down to help improve their light wind performance. Happy dieting Matt.

Martin and Jack were a new team up. Martin will be going to Garda with his normal line up. His determination to improve his sailing is a credit to him.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	Nt Pts
1	4862	Steve Cockerill	Sarah Cockerill	Stokes Bay SC	1	1	1	1	‑5	1	5
2	4682	John Reynolds	Fran Howell	Grafham Water SC	3	‑5	2	5	1	2	13
3	4343	Neil Heffernan	Jo Morrison	Queen Mary SC	4	3	‑5	2	2	4	15
4	4572	Richard de Fleury	Jo de Fleury	Yorkshire Dales SC	2	4	3	3	3	‑5	15
5	4568	David Marchant	Matt Reynolds	Grafham Water SC	‑5	2	4	4	4	3	17
6	4467	Martin Burgess	Jack	Bough Beech SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	35