Wayfarer Finale at Bough Beech Sailing Club

Wayfarer Finale at Bough Beech decides Craftinsure National Circuit Series © Tim Townsend

The Wayfarer Finale sailed at Bough Beech SC over the weekend of 10/11 November 2018 proved to be a fitting end to the UKWA's racing programme for the year. Eighteen teams congregated in the dinghy park on Saturday morning just in time for rain to ease. The forecast was for a SSW breeze on both days, perfect for the orientation of the lake; at 16-25 mph on Saturday and 18-30 mph on Sunday. In the event the wind was lighter than forecast on both days although there were some juicy gusts on Sunday which troubled a few boats.

The open meeting was billed as the winner-takes-all shootout to decide the Craftinsure National Circuit Series between Andrew and Tom Wilson who had led the series for many months and Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend, the only crew with a chance of catching them. As usual, a strong fleet had assembled at Bough Beech and there were several boats looking to win the open meeting if not the overall series. Andrew and Tom did all they could. They led the fleet at the first mark in all four races. However, the gods conspired against them and eventually it was Michael and Simon who enjoyed a clean sweep of wins and with them victory in the open meeting and in the National Circuit Series.

Notwithstanding the heavy showers which characterised the weekend, especially at Twickenham on Saturday and at the Cenotaph on Sunday, Race 1 was held in sunshine. The fleet was reasonably well behaved and got away first time with just an individual recall signalled. Andrew and Tom led from the start but finished to the sound of silence. They were the offenders on the start line. Meanwhile, Michael and Simon had to work their way up through the fleet eventually getting the better of Brian Lamb and Sam Pygall to take the winners gun. Martin and Donna Rouse-Collen (making their debut on the circuit for 2018) took third place.

Race 2, sailed after lunch in similar conditions, saw a race long battle royale between Andrew and Tom and Michael and Simon with the lead changing hands on several occasions. At the end of the race it was Michael and Simon who led by a short head. Third place in this race was taken by Bill Whitney and John Shelton. Competition was fierce throughout the fleet with several boats in close formation during the whole race and several calls for rights, especially at rounding marks.

The fleet dodged the showers on Saturday but there was heavy rain overnight and the forecast of stronger winds and showers on Sunday. Andrew and Tom could still win the event but needed to win the two final races. The wind appeared to be stronger than the previous day. A few teams dropped their rigs back a notch and everybody spent the day adjusting rig and vang tension to suit the gusts and lulls. Race 3 was another close one with Andrew and Tom and Michael and Simon vying for the lead. Once again Michael and Simon were leading when the fat lady sang, this time with Guy Marks and Mel Titmuss completing the podium. David Roberts and Tinu Cornish were the only casualties in this race after a collision, but fortunately no damage was done and they were able to compete in the final race.

With the event won, Race 4 was going to be for pride and the minor places. The race started in increasing winds with some new faces near the front including Mark and Jane Lee who were well placed until they came a cropper in the biggest rain squall of the day on the second beat. Andrew and Tom Wilson were also doing well until Andrew fell out of the boat taking his tiller extension with him (adding a DNF to their earlier OCS). Once again Michael and Simon took the lead to the finish although they were chased hard by Guy and Mel and Brian and Sam.

Michael and Simon therefore won the Bough Beech Finale and with it the National Circuit Series while Andrew and Tom consoled themselves by winning the Travellers Trophy. At the prize giving, Michael McNamara thanked Bough Beech SC for their hospitality and race management.

Overall Results: