Laser Pico Open at Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club
by Paul Wilkinson 14 Jul 2006 08:03 BST
8-9 July 2006
Following last year’s very successful event hosted by Thorpe Bay Yacht club (TBYC), Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club (MBSC) returned the favour by inviting the TBYC Cadets over for a exciting weekend of Pico sailing and entertainment.
33 Picos registered, (62 sailors), although the strong winds on Sunday reduced participation somewhat. Six races took place 3 on each day. With consistently high placing in each race Natalya Eyre with Izzy Duce (TBYC) won the series from Ollie Cook (MBSC) followed by Laura Sanders with James Poulton (TBYC) in 3rd place.
Saturday racing started early in fine weather with south westerly force 2/3 winds holding through the morning. With a delay to the start, race 1 was a three way battle between Chris Grice, Natalya Eyre, and the eventual winner Ollie Cook. Race 2 started with TBYC fight between Natalya and Laura Sanders but with the tide running out many of the visitors were caught out by the lack of water at the windward mark. Natalya went onto win ahead of MBSC cadets of Nick Longshank and Ollie. The race officer shortened the third race to a one lap windward leeward course – Laura Sanders avoided the mud to lead home Nick and Ollie. The later finishers were greeted by Mayland mud on getting ashore!!
The wind kicked in on Sunday – south westerly force 5 gusting 6. Natalya maintained her consistent finishing with another 1st from Nick Binnendijk with Athina Duce in race 4. Ollie had slipped to 5th with gear failure. With continually strong winds a number of competitors wisely retired. Race 5 was led throughout by Chris Grice, followed by Natalya and Martin with Bob Binnendijk. Natalya Eyre with Izzy Duce capped a consistent race weekend with another demonstration of strong wind sailing in race 6 – their worst place all weekend was 4th. Mike Thomason (solo) finished ahead of Chris Grice and Ollie Cook.
With prizes supplied by Dinghy Sailing Magazine, TBYC and MBSC all competitors received a prize. With local knowledge and being used to sail in strong winds in the creek MBSC won the team trophy.
Overall Results:
1st Natalya Eyre & Izzy Duce (TBYC)
2nd Ollie Cook (MBSC)
3rd Laura Sanders & James Poulton (TBYC)
4th Nick Binnendijk & Athina Duce (TBYC)
5th Nick Longshank (MBSC)
Under 21 Rose Bowl – James Christian & Alex Thomason and Alex Farrell & Jonathan Snow (TBYC)
Latchingdon Bowl (best Cadet & Adult) – Chris Grice & Lauren Grice/Fenny Cook (MBSC)
Team Trophy:
1st MBSC 388 points
2nd TBYC 448 points