Comet Duo World Championships at Cransley Sailing Club

by Nigel Austin 12 Jul 2016 08:43 BST 9 July 2016

The inaugural World Championships were held at Cransley Sailing Club on Saturday 9th July for the Comet Duo. Whilst less than 200 were built and as far as is known most are still in the UK, the class were keen to welcome any visitors from around our planet! Two visitors did travel - ok not quite from Australia or USA, but from Oulton Mere SC and Hawley Lake SC, to join seven Cransley Duos for the largest gathering for a few years.

Race 1 - The wind was forecast to be 15 gusting 20-25 knots but the early rain dampened it to 10-12 knots for the first 2 laps of the Race 1. This allowed the fleet to bunch together and Peter Stein/William Grantham chased Nigel Austin/Emily Britton for the first half of the race, before the wind increased. Jane and John Townsend teamed up for the first two races (before Jane put her curlers in and dashed off to a party), were a constant threat to John Linnell (2015 champion) and crew, Caroline Hughes (who wasn't expecting to sail), but couldn't quite catch them. Nigel and Anne Ford, followed by Tony Hetherington/Julie Aves and Andrew Heald/Lesley Johnson finished but Stephen Linton who ventured out on his own was entrapped by the Cransley weed at the leeward mark and had to retire. Also Darrell and Ella Hutchings retired at the same location as they found sailing without the jib was quite a challenge when tacking.

They retired to the clubhouse for a civilised lunch break of pulled pork rolls and salads - none of this 3 races back to back stuff!

Race 2 - saw a few crew changes, which meant that the previous race results wouldn't count unless they reverted to Crew no. 1 in the 3rd race. Peter Stein signed up Elinor Pawluk and Stephen Linton and Darrell Hutchings teamed up. With the forecasted 20-25 knots materialising, the top five results were the same, however Stephen And Darrell pushed Tony and Julie down to 7th despite Darrell falling out the boat (!), with Andrew and Lesley bringing home the fleet.

Mid afternoon tea and homemade cakes followed!

Race 3 - only 5 of the original 9 started the last race, due to a combination of fatigue, high winds, too much lunch and tea!, those that did, had a change of course with a tricky dead run that saw Nigel and Anne Ford swimming (however it meant Anne took some great pictures of the action, thanks). The top 3 were the same although a tasty battle emerged between Peter/Elinor and John/Caroline which lasted to the finishing line and was good viewing. Stephen and Darrell finished fourth without Darrell throwing himself overboard this time!

Whilst the results are always of interest, it was the great spirit in which this championships was sailed which was the winner, and with all boats being double handed at some point with crews both young and old, experienced and not. The race officer and team produced good courses and the safety and catering crews were excellent. It was all agreed that we would be back next year and we would try to encourage more to come along - so the hunt is on to find the other 170 Comet Duos - wherever they are in the world!

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Club	Helm	Crew	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1st	103	Cransley Sailing Club	Nigel Austin	Emily Britton	‑1	1	1	2
2nd	99	Cransley Sailing Club	Peter Stein	Elinor Pawluk	(DNC)	2	2	4
3rd	90	Cransley Sailing Club	John Linnell	Caroline Hughes	‑3	3	3	6
4th	73	Cransley Sailing Club	Jane Townsend	John Townsend	4	4	(DNC)	8
5th	150	Hawley Lake Sailing Club	Stephen Linton	Darrell Hutchings	(DNC)	6	4	10
6th	93	Olton Mere Sailing Club	Nigel Ford	Anne Ford	5	5	(DNF)	10
7th	161	Cransley Sailing Club	Tony Hetherington	Julie Aves	6	7	(DNC)	13
8th	99	Cransley Sailing Club	Peter Stein	William Grantham	2	(DNC)	DNC	14
9th	4	Cransley Sailing Club	Andrew Heald	Lesley Johnson	7	8	(DNC)	15
10th	20	Cransley Sailing Club	Darrell Hutchings	Ella Hutchings	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	24