Xenon Open at Datchet Water Sailing Club
by Jon Manners 4 Oct 2006 07:55 BST
30 September 2006
An eager fleet of Xenons arrived at Datchet Water SC for the final open of the season.
The wind had settled at a steady force 4 for the start of race one. From the start there was close competition up the first beat with the lead changing in a close battle between Jon and Dan Mannersin 5559 and Paul Davis and Chris Wye in 4203. It looked as thought Paul had pulled enough of a lead to hold Jon off and take the first race till the last run as a force 5 gust came down the lake , Paul along with several of the fleet took an early bath allowing Jon and Dan Manners to take the victory, made all the better being Dan’s first open meeting. Russ Dent with last minute crew Steve Moore sailed to a comfortable second place.
As the fleet lined up the second start the wind increased to a steady force 5 making a tricky start for those with the lighter crews. The race was a close fought affair with all the finishers in a close group Paul Davis managed to pop out to take the win with Russ Dent settling in to a familiar second place.
As the start gun of race three went, this also signalled the rain to start. As the fleet battled up wind in the squally conditions a glimmer of Sun light could be seen at the top mark to greet them. Unfortunately as the sun spread the wind vanished to leave a mirror flat surface, this left the fleet searching for any gusts to be had. In these tricky conditions Paul Davis spotted a wind change and reached in to the mark and clean away from the fleet .Jon Manners was soon on his case as away after him . The last leg of the course had returned to a reach again and as the breeze filled in James Thomas and Trevor Brown made a charge to try and take second but in a close tactical battle Jon and Dan Manners held on to take the second place by a boat length.
A special mention has to got to Andrew and Alex Bradley who took part in their first open in less than ideal conditions with Alex only having learnt to sail this summer
Overall Results:
1st Paul Davis & Chris Wye (Hertford County SC)
2nd Jon Manners & Dan Manners (first Junior), (Salcombe SC)
3rd Russ Dent & Steve Moore (Brightlingsea SC)