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OK Dinghy Inland Championship at Blithfield Sailing Club

by Tony Woods 16 Apr 2018 09:58 BST 14-15 April 2018

Blithfield Sailing Club hosted the Inland Championship over the weekend of 14/15 April with visitors as far afield as Isle of Man, Scotland, and Devon.

Saturday dawned with the very light breeze causing a postponement until conditions improved enough to go Racing. In Race 1 from the middle of the line Tony Woods broke into the lead, with Ian Hopwood, heading the chasing pack. It was a race where the leaders got richer, as Woods built a large lead over the rest of the fleet. Terry Curtis eventually got into 2nd with Keith Byers taking 3rd. Ian Hopwood slipped down the field after a navigational error but it it didn't matter as he was one of three boats judged OCS.

In Race 2, again Woods got into the lead, this time from the Pin end. The chasing pack was ever-changing with 8 boats in 2nd position at some time. After a lap the 'Rib of doom' approached Woods to give the news that he was OCS meaning an early shower. The shifting conditions brought the experienced sages to the front of the fleet rather than the young guns and Curtis took the gun in front of Alan Robinson, and Byers.

Saturday night was a splendid affair with Blithfield S.C proving what great hosts they are meaning that Sunday morning brought a few fuzzy heads to the galley for the first coffee of the day. Sunday also brought more breeze which was popular throughout the fleet meaning they could stretch the legs.

Race 3 and Woods took the lead again from the Pin end. Keith Byers was sailing faster than he has for many a year and seems to be improving like a fine wine and along with Ed Bradburn put pressure on Woods right up to the finish but they finished in that order.

Race 4 proved that new faces can take on the experienced names with ease and Anthony Osman smashed the race winning the race by a large margin over Curtis and Bradburn.

Race 5 was the desicive race with 4 boats in the hunt with the advantage with those not postng a discard already. Will Croxford mixed with the leaders throughout the race but slipped towards the end of the race. Curtis held his nerve to take the win and the championship, with Tom Lonsdale finding some form taking 2nd and Bradburn 3rd.

The OK fleet are now preparing for the next event which is the Spring Cup, in Medemblik Holland. A fantastic opportunity for sailors to sharpen their skills against some stuff International competition.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoBoat NameHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5Pts
169 Terry CurtisCastle Cove SC23‑5218
22176In for a PennyKeith ByersMorcombe SC3125‑1111
32179Flirtry Girty from No. 30Tony Woods 1(DNF)16513
42185 Ed BradburnSouth Staffs SC‑6433313
528 Anthony OsmanParkstone YC‑8561820
695 Duncan EllisOvery Staithe SC4‑874621
72188 Ian HopwoodNantwich SC(OCS)648422
88 Tom LonsdaleWest Oxford SC5(DNF)810225
9100Otro HombreAlan RobinsonSevern SC92‑1591333
102124 Will CroxfordSouth Staffs SC(OCS)1097733
1159Whatever you wantAndy OsmanParkstone YC7‑141111938
122183 Deryck LovegroveBurfield SC13710‑141040
132167SmokeyPhil BentonUpper Thames‑161112131551
141966WindbreakerTim O'LearyFelixstow Ferry SC11131612‑1752
1563 Brian Quayle 141613‑171255
162163 Gavin WaldronSouth Staffs SC151214‑161657
172045 Paul DuttonSouth Staffs SC12‑1717151458
1876 Karen RobertsonLoch Earn1015(DNS)DNSDNS67
194 Rebecca OgdenNotts County SC(OCS)9DNSDNSDNS72
202035Blue ThrusterMatthew StephensonBlithfield(DNC)DNCDNFDNSDNS84

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