Blithfield Barrel - Round 2

Blithfield Barrel round 2 © Chris Martin

53 boats came to Blithfield to contest round two of the Barrel series. Though the forecast had been promising a good south westerly all week, we arrived to something rather different. It would seem that we are destined to suffer a plague of easterlies this year!

With daylight at a premium race officer Steve Watson wisely set one start and got us away as early as possible. The first race was a light affair from start to finish, with choosing your side on the run being the key to a good result. In these conditions its difficult for the fast boats to get away, but several did with the race being won by the Merlin of Nick Craig and Pete Gray who were battling with Matt Biggs and Beka Jones most of the way round. Andy Davis and Pippa Kilsby had to settle for third. The Harken High Score went to Richard Beaumont in a Topaz Tres.

The wind had increased just a little for the second race, but enough to tempt almost everyone back out. A simple triangle was set just in case the breeze died away as sun went down. It didn't really, but the temperature most certainly did!

The race was won by Matt Biggs and Beka Jones, with Andy Davis and Pippa in second this time and the Osprey of Chris Gould and Nice Broomhall come in third. The Harken High Score went to Dave Moseley and Chris Evans in a Tasar.

Thanks to everyone who helped out, and our sponsors: Dinghytec, Freedom Brewery and Harken.

The next round of the barrel is on 13th January - see you all there!

www.blithfield.org.uk/barrel