Illusion Inland Championship at Middle Nene Sailing Club
by Wilf Kunze 5 Sep 06:28 BST
1 September 2018
Middle Nene Illusion Open © Sue Kunze
On Saturday, 1st September 2018 an enthusiastic group of sailors competed at the combined Open Meeting and Inland Championship for the Illusion class at MNSC in Thrapston, Northants, East Midlands. The 155 acre water at MNSC is perfect for this type of mini-keelboat and the club fleet has been rapidly expanding over the past three years.
Two previous national champions from other classes (Solo and RS Vareo) and both now keen Illusion sailors, took the lead early on and battled out over four close races as to who was to receive the new crystal glass trophy. Throughout the day the weather was gusty with varying wind directions which turned every leg into a new challenge. Race Officer Mark Greer had to make several alterations to the course to align it with the breezy conditions. In the end there was one single point between the winner Mike Moore (GBR4) and Matt Yallop (GBR89). Ken Ansdell (GBR3) achieved third place and he also won the raffle for a discount voucher from Hyde Sails, who supported the event.
The next event is already being planned for 2019 and the date will again be in early September. With its convenient location just off the A14 (Exit 12) MNSC expects to attract an increasing number of boats from across the country.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Moore or Less | 4 | Mike Moore | | ‑2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2nd | Midnight Oil | 89 | Matt Yallop | MNSC | 1 | 2 | 1 | ‑3 | 4 |
| 3rd | Illustrious | 3 | Ken Ansdell | | ‑6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 4th | | 7 | Tony Wright | MNSC | 3 | ‑4 | 4 | 4 | 11 |
| 5th | Polly | 16 | John Crooks | | ‑5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| 6th | Lolo | 108 | Wilf Kunze | MNSC | 4 | ‑6 | 6 | 6 | 16 |