Shearwaters Travellers at Stone Sailing Club

Stone S.C at the mouth of the Blackwater, was host to 18 Shearwaters for the first "Travellers Trophy Meeting" in this Fiftieth Anniversary Year of the Class. Blustery wind conditions favoured a Club Line start, and easier safety management. As boats departed the shore for the start, the wind began to increase steadily.

First away was Geoff and Jack Tindale - "Dilligaf", with Greg and Alex Wilcox - "Foreigner" in close pursuit. By the second mark, an ambitious Spinnaker hoist in even more breeze, caused "Dilligaf" to capsize, and "Foreigner" took the lead followed closely by the Allen Brothers on "Take5". The two battled closely for the duration of the race, while pulling further away from the pack, "Take5" securing victory. The second race of the day was held in particularly gusty conditions, with winds exceeding 30 mph, after several involuntary swimming lessons, "Take5" once again took first place.

Sunday brought a gentle south westerly. Current National Champion Dan Tindale, with George Williams on "Think Pink", taking an early lead in the first race of the day. This they lost in the final lap to Richard Hamblin and Amy Tindale - "China Crisis", who went on to take the gun with "Take5" a close second. The next race saw "Think Pink" again first to the mark, and better able to defend their position, taking first place at the conclusion. The final race of the day gave no clear leader in the early stages, several boats changing positions on both upwind and downwind legs, eventually "Think Pink" and "Take5" braking clear of the pack. These two continued in close company for the remainder of the race, with "Think Pink" finally taking the gun.An excellent weekends sailing, and superb organisation by Stone S.C despite very trying conditions on the Saturday.

Overall Results: