Craftinsure Scorpion Open and Scorpion Inland Championship at Notts County Sailing Club

Gybe mark rounding during the Scorpion Inlands at Notts County © David Eberlin

This was most people's first Open Meeting / major event for well for almost 18 months and it proved to be a great way to welcome the (hoped for) return to normal service.

The club and Scorpion Class association had agreed arrangements that complied with social distancing rules and although that meant that people had fewer chances to taste Pauline's, the clubs caterer, wonderful catering again, and the bar wasn't open, but in spite of that the meeting was very successful. The event was sponsored by Craftinsure. Twenty Seven boats entered, including twelve from Notts County Sailing Club. The briefing and entries were online, allowing racing to get off on time.

The wind on the Saturday was disappointingly fitful and light and came from the Northwest though 90' swings meant there were several course changes. But both sailors and Ken Twemlow's race team managed to complete five shorter races back to back on the Saturday. Tom Gillard and Rachel Rhodes, won three races. Nigel Potter and Simon Hibbert (NCSC) were sailing fast in the first ever Paintcraft Scorpion 'bag boat', 1958, and won race 4 while some time NCSC sailor, Tom Jeffcoate, won race 2, so at the end of the first day only a few points separated the top three. The day finished with a socially distanced take away curry from the clubs caterer Pauline on the balcony and foreshore, and to celebrate the sun made an appearance.

Close mark rounding during the Scorpion Inlands at Notts County - photo © David Eberlin

Sunday dawned brighter and drier but also colder and windier - with a good force 4-5 coming up the lake from the SW, as forecast. The plan was to run three longer races back-to-back. The wind was by no means steady but there were some great beats, runs and stonking planing reaches with not a few capsizes. It felt like it was dinghy racing as it was meant to be. Tom Gillard and Rachel Rhodes won all three races, cementing their win. They won the event with 8 points (one discard) with Pete Gray and Geoff Edwards from Staunton Harold 2nd (19 pts) and Tom Jeffcoate and Mark Hogan 3rd (22pts). Nigel Potter and Simon Hibbert were top NCSC boat in 5th. Debi Gibson won the Leading Lady helm award. Sammy Mason (sailing with dad, Richard) was a fantastic 14th (but including a 6th and two 8th) and won the Junior Award, while another junior, Cillian Dyne (sailing with Jake Willars) came a memorable 21st despite the challenging conditions on the Sunday.

Screaming reach during the Scorpion Inlands at Notts County - photo © David Eberlin

It was a great event, enjoyed by all and holding promise of a wonderful summer on the water ahead, all we are waiting for is for some warmth.

Overall Results: