Vane 36R Beesley Cup at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club
by Tony Wilson 27 Sep 2018 14:39 BST
22 September 2018
Vane 36R Beesley Cup at Fleetwood © Tony Wilson
While it had been windy all week with lots of rain it was good to have a nice dry welcome break for the Saturday's scheduled Vane sailing at Fleetwood. Five Skippers came for the day and a good handful of local lads to help out with the poling off on the far bank.
Eric had rigged his spare boat up with the smallest sails as he thought it was a bit too rough for anything more, but as the rest had already pre-rigged their boats earlier in the week, this is how they decided they were going to stay. Peter had a combination of large jib and medium main sail.
As it looked fairly rough to start with and a good breeze from the west it had been suggested we only do the beats to save the weary legs while running on the return journey, although you still have to somehow get your boat back to the beginning each time.
Eddie had car trouble so wasn't able to attend, so Bob had kindly donated his services as Skipper for a first with the little boats. What does this do and what's that for, well there's no better way to find out than good old hands-on experience.
John looked like he was up for it as he was the only one to get a warm up practice leg done before the start and he had Darren trotted off to the far bank to assist. Then after cards were handed out it was Tony and Peter W to the start line. Peter won obviously, as Tony had moved what he should have left alone from the last time out, winding in those angles again as they just looked so wrong at 40 degrees. Peter J lost out to John and Bob was on a bye for that first leg.
Peter then sat out one and Mr Jackson took his first 3 points off Bob along with John showing Tony that he was truly on form and first to the far end. The third leg had Bob and Tony battling it out, but Bob made a silly mistake and poled off into oncoming traffic which apparently gives you an instant disqualification for that heat.
The morning continued more or less the same with John and Peter alternating their wins and not losing any. A complete round had been sailed and were we up for another. Ian was also able to help for the day and we always had the bye man as spare to assist.
On to the afternoon session and to repeat what we had done earlier, each time for three points per leg and just walk the yachts back. The wind had dropped slightly and it was by no means cold. Tony was now up against Peter J again and it looked pretty even as they were going up with one pointing better in either crossing, but Tony looking more favourable. Thinking he might make it this time, a passenger crab line had decided to attach itself to even this short keeled boat to Tony's heartbreak.
Bob managed to get one back on Tony, and then it was to the final tot up at the end requiring a sail-off between Peter Whiteside and John Plant. Neither had dropped a single leg against any other leaving the two to be split with a couple of deciding legs at the end of the day.
Peter won the sail-off but it had been close all day and enjoyable too.
Thanks again to Eric in keeping us in check with all the scoring.
Top Three Results:
1. Peter Whiteside 21 points (winner after sail-off)
2. John Plant 21 points
3. Peter Jackson 12 points