Lark Travellers Trophy at South Staffordshire Sailing Club
by Stuart Hydon 5 Nov 2020 17:31 GMT
31 October - 1 November 2020
South Staffs SC ran a rearranged Lark Open on 24 October, just in the nick of time before the latest lockdown. This was the fourth and final Lark Open to be sailed for the 2020 Belle Isle Travellers' Trophy, so places were up for grabs.
Those who braved the high winds forecast were treated to a gusty wind from an "unusual" direction (according to local club sailors) - meaning it was not only gusty but shifty, too! An excellent event ensued, with great courses and close racing - thanks go to SSSC for making this happen in these Covid times.
Race 1 kicked off with Kelsey & Gemma Suggitt doing a perfect port end flyer - their dad Bob would have been proud - after only just managing to make the line in time. First to the windward mark was Stuart and Nick Hydon who managed to drop to 3rd by the end of the second leg. The third leg, a tight reach, brought the island into play. Most opted to 2-sail it, with Chris and Nic White going high and popping the kite on a broader course. Places changed regularly, but the Hydons took the first race with Ed Bradbury and Sarah Norbury pulling past Chris and Nic on the final leg.
Race 2 was back-to-back and the Hydons opened up a reasonable lead with Ed and Sarah behind. However, what seemed a straight-forward short beat allowed Chris and Nic to climb from 3rd to 1st in one easy move. Stuart and Nick gave chase and pulled back through, leaving Chris and Nic to take second. In third was James Goss and Mike Senior.
Race 3 saw the fleet tightly bunched for the first couple of laps, with places regularly changing across the whole fleet. Chris and Nic took the lead, but Stuart and Nick managed to catch them. Whilst preoccupied with trying to challenge the Hydons for windward position, Ed and Sarah popped through to leeward. Stuart and Nick managed to secure the win leaving Ed/Sarah and Chris/Nic fighting for second both in this race and overall.
Overall Results:
1st 2495, Stuart and Nick Hydon (Shustoke)
2nd 253, Chris and Nic White (SSSC)
3rd 2523, Ed Bradburn and Sarah Norbury (SSSC)
4th 2529, James Goss and Mike Senior (SSSC)
5th 2468, Sam Bailey and Finn Morgan (SSSC)
6th 2467, Kelsey Suggitt and Gemma Suggitt (Barnt Green)
7th 2464, J Coate and K Philips (SSSC)