Graduate Nationals at Notts County Sailing Club - Day 2
by Alistair Roaf 29 May 2016 23:41 BST
28-30 May 2016
The sailors awoke to another northerly wind but this time it was stronger about force three. As yesterday it was the gusts which decided the positions.
Race 3 was an exciting start. The leading boats from day one favoured the pin end; however, they were early. The Clementsons gybed round the pin and sailed under the fleet on port, keeping going until they were in clear air on the starboard side.
The Coopers were also a little early and had to double tack around the pin before sailing off to the left. Completing the trio of hot starters was Roger Cherrill and Meg Warren who were OCS but this did not harm them as it allowed them to go to the right hand side of the course where a helpful gust was waiting.
As usual the fleet were sailing in a close pack with one bad tack costing several positions. John and Tony worked the shifts most successfully and half way through the race were positioned first and second, respectively, closely followed by the Flitcrofts. The Murrells, Hills and Craig's (crew Isabelle Craig, aged 8, is the youngest sailor in the fleet) had their own battle for forth.
A port and starboard incident with the Murrells dropped the Hills behind the Craig's. The Hills kept focused and passed the Craigs on the final run while at the same time closing in on the Murrells but time was against them; so, the Murrells just took forth.
Race 4, in the afternoon, the wind had shifted to the left making the right side of the track favourable as demonstrated by Bryn Abbendstern and Annabelle Coppinger who took full advantage and rounded the windward Mark in first place. Following them were Steve Blackburn and Ciaran McKettrick, Rob and Sally Riddelsdell, and the Murrells close behind. However, the pack led by the Clementsons and Coopers found more pressure in the middle of the lake on the subsequent run.
On the close reach between mark numbers 9 and 10 the Coopers forced the Clementsons and Bryn and Annabelle above the mark before gybing for the mark. Unfortunately, the Coopers went on to miss a mark and when realising their error retired. The Clementsons went on to win by a clear margin followed by the Flitcrofts and Steve and Ciaran with Bryn and Annabelle coming a creditable forth.
Later in the afternoon, there was a Graduate Lady helm race. There were three entries; namely, Meg Warren, Annabelle Coppinger and Jane Thorpe. For the spectators this was an exciting race to watch as positions changed regularly aided by penalty turns. It was good to watch the gusts come down the track and see how they affected the boats. Meg Warren took line honours followed by Annabelle and Jane.