PODD 2018: 50,000 lightning strikes and 6 Fireballs

PODD 2018 © Paignton Sailing Club

PODD 2018 © Paignton Sailing Club

Tom Gillard & Geoff Edwards win the PODD 2018 © Paignton Sailing Club

PODD 2018, the only sailing event in the south west for solely for double handed dinghies, took place over the bank holiday weekend of 26th/27th May and attracted an eclectic mixed fleet of Albacores, 4000s, RS200s, RS800s, B14s, Ospreys, Merlin Rockets and the largest fleet was 6 of the perennial Fireballs.

Saturday being the better sailing day was warm and sunny with a steady 15knot wind from the north-east, and with a 1.00 pm start time the fleet was sent around a trapezoid course. The 3 planned races for the day were easily run and the fleet returned to shore ready for the included-in-the-entry-fee evening reception and dinner.

Sunday dawned misty and murky with a north easterly, eventually swinging right to an easterly, and it was good to see that the alleged 50,000 lightning strikes overnight in the UK hadn’t deterred any of the competitors whatsoever. Nevertheless the full 3 races were run, albeit a little later than planned before the wind died completely.

The final results were pleasantly mixed with no fleet dominating the score sheet. Overall bragging rights went to Tom Gillard and Geoff Edwards in Fireball 15127 from Sheffield Viking Sailing Club with 3 firsts on the Saturday. 2nd was Jon Turner and Katie Frost in Merlin Rocket 3774 from Lyme Regis Sailing Club with two firsts on the Sunday. 3rd were John Reynolds and Fran Howell in a 4000 from Grafham Water Sailing Club.

Paignton Sailing Club would like to thank PRO for leading the race management team in what turned out to be an excellent event, and all the competitors for turning up too, see you next year and hope you had a great time!