Founders Series and Menagerie Shield at Felpham Sailing Club
by James Gerwat 22 Jul 2019 23:17 BST
21 July 2019
Founders Series and Menagerie Shield at Felpham © Richard Ganley & Hayden Kracke
Sunday saw the final races of the Founders Series & Menagerie Shield at FSC. 21 boats took to the water for 3 races, back to back, in a building South Westerly (12knots, gusting to 15knots). The RO set a P course with a clubhouse start.
There were really only three contenders for the prestigious Founders Trophy; Richard Bentley (Aero 7), Martin & Connor Gillam (Lark) & Ross Fisher (Blaze).
Well, Ross was Race Officer, so out of the equation. Martin & Connor turned up late and missed the first race.
Tim Cutsforth (RS600) led from start to finish, completing one more lap than the other front runners, and claimed third place. First went to Catherine Hemsley in the Aero5 and Richard Bentley came in second.
Josh James stormed to a fifth in his Topper with his hands firmly on the Norseman Cup (Slow Fleet) and the Tip Top Trophy (Toppers).
Race 2 saw the same boats out in front, joined by the Lark of Martin & Connor Gillam.
The wind was building & this time Richard Bentley beat Tim Cutsforth by 4 seconds on corrected time after 40ish minutes of racing. Catherine Hemsley came in third and special mention goes to the Pico of Sean Hull for claiming fifth place and Josie Kelly (Tera) for seventh.
For the third race, and final race of the Menagerie Shield (and Princes Pot), the wind had picked up to 15knots, gusting 18knots. The tide was turning and the waves building. Only eight boats stayed out for what were the best sailing conditions we've had for a long time at FSC!
This time, Tim Cutsforth didn't put a foot wrong and disappeared into the distance. One more lap than the rest of us and won by 50 seconds on corrected time over Richard Bentley.
The Lark came home third which was enough to win the Menagerie Shield overall.
Once safely back on shore, the results were updated and the trophy recipients decided:
Founders: Richard Bentley
Norseman Cup: Josh James
Tip Top Trophy: Josh James
Menagerie Shield: Martin & Connor Gillam
Princes Pot: Josh James
Full results are on the website: felphamsailingclub.co.uk/racing/results/files/founders.htm