Maidenhead Sailing Club Virtual Championships Final - Runners and Riders

Maidenhead eSailing © Gary Bullock

Maidenhead SC, due to its excellent active membership and committee, has been organising virtual racing on Thursdays and Sundays with the ultimate goal of representing Maidenhead at the Regional RYA Championships.

We have run a 21 race series and the top 20 will compete on Saturday night 8pm in a 5 race series (three to count) shoot out to find out who will represent the club.

Runners and riders (top ten)

• Sam Walton (topper 009) 4 race wins. Winner of race series and very consistent throughout, has the ability to fight back from difficult positions, youth on his side and nimble fingers hopefully the pressure will not get to him. Odds 9/4

• Adam Meekings (Adam 14) 5 race wins. Competitive and focussed with a good solid race series behind him, as at Maidenhead when sailing his Laser can switch off at times which can cost him, don't rule him out though. Odds 7/2

• Ian Stone (Stonesy) Quiet and polite but deadly on the race course, Ian due to work commitments could only race on Sundays but won 6 of his 9 races that he competed in. The big money is on him, short odds though. Odds Evens

• Gary Bullock (Mutley) 1 race win. Short but not short of confidence he believes he can win this but very unlikely always an excuse and never his fault, will be an unpopular winner if he does. Odds 5/1

• Tom Knight (TomK) 0 race wins. Always top 5 but feel this won't be enough come Saturday night. At 17 I'm sure he has other things on his mind. Try to focus Tom for just 30 minutes and you will never know. Odds 5/1

• Sammy Isaac Johnson (Sammyblueij) Full time professional sailor started the series well but has gone off the boil. Too many penalties on the race course due to pushing the rules as normal. Outside chance though Odds 11/2

• Martin Hayward (maybe angels) 1 Race win Martin has improved steadily throughout the series but with young children and bedtime at 8.00 will probably be too much of a distraction on Saturday night. Odds 9/1

• Dave Hirst (XXLaser) 0 race wins. Not sure whether his boat name indicates his size something else or both. Normally top 5 but will need to improve on Saturday to take title, Odds 12/1

• Johnny Payne (beanpole) 0 Race wins. Underperformed during series maybe due to his interfering mother (MRSP) My advice Johnny lock yourself in your room and you never know. Odds 20/1

• Clara Carero (Clara S) 0 race wins. Big thanks to Clara for organising the event and would be a popular winner but probably too nice to be in the top 3. Odds 33/1

• Martin King (MK5368) 1 race win. Just coming into some form at the right time although there was talk of some team racing tactics with his son TomK not proved though. Odds 33/1

• Caroline Payne (MRS P) Talented lady but not at VR. Odds 50/1

• Keith Meekings (Solo Keith) some poor results throughout series unlikely to see him feature. Odds 100/1

• Dave Killey (popeye46) Experienced Laser sailor but having trouble with this modern technology. Odds 100/1

• Leo Wilkinson (boat 482249) Not performed to his potential, previous world champ could be leading us all into a false sense of security. Odds 30/1