Comet open meeting at Cransley Sailing Club
by Nigel Austin 18 Jul 2021 15:38 BST
11 July 2018
Comet open meeting at Cransley © Helen Britton
On Sunday 11th June 2021 we hosted the Comet Open (as we have done for annually for many years) but this years was wonderful on so many levels.
We had 20 entrants, including all the Comets we have at the club, out on the water (12 of them). Those who have Comets and couldn't sail let others borrow them - thank you that was extremely kind. Those who sailed were all there to enjoy, savour and learn from the experience.
Our visitors absolutely loved it (I think!), helped many of you rig and tweak your boats - this was the biggest turnout of boats at an Open for a little while on the national circuit I suspect!
We had Andy Simmons, the boat builder of the Comets and Comet Duos here on Saturday and Sunday, enthused and helping folk (as well as having a few words).
We had wonderful food prepared by many of you and served by many of you. We had a happy duty officer and assistant in a wonderful new Duty Hut, ably helped by a relaxed Safety crew. The reservoir was as weed free as it could be, thanks to those who have tirelessly prepared
The racing on the water was 99.9% of the time competitive but hugely friendly with lots of banter! Everyone gained something from the day - and the Cransley spirit lives on!
Nearly forgot the results and the sailing conditions - well the latter was Force 0-2 mainly with very occasional tasters of stronger stuff, and two folk slugged it out in close combat for the top honours (Bob Dobbs and Eddie Pope). Whilst the rest of us watched as they sailed into the sunset, we all had alternating happy and not-so-happy moments as the variability of the winds at Cransley kicked in big time. I think if there had been a fourth race Andy and Annette would have been up a little higher.
There were very few who didn't do all three races, even though the Euros Final was on in the evening. We even had Gary from Emberton SC turn up just for a look, and we persuaded him (although he didn't need much) to jump in a boat, and now we hear he is 99% likely to buy one (possibly new!).
Great day, top sailing and we hope that we see all (and a few more next year).
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 869 | Bob Dodds | CMYC | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 377 | Eddie Pope | OSC | ‑2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3rd | 875 | Nigel Austin | CSC | 3 | 3 | ‑6 | 6 |
| 4th | 323 | Annette Walter | WGCSC | ‑6 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 5th | 597 | Ben Palmer | BWSC | ‑5 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 6th | 126 | Alan Bennett | SHSC | 4 | 5 | (DNC) | 9 |
| 7th | 433 | Andy Dale | ESC | ‑7 | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| 8th | 875b | Tom Chapman | CSC | ‑9 | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| 9th | 718 | Sarah Austin | CSC | 8 | ‑9 | 8 | 16 |
| 10th | 724 | Rhiain Bevan | CSC | 10 | 10 | ‑11 | 20 |
| 11th | 845 | Nigel Fern | SHSC | 11 | ‑15 | 10 | 21 |
| 12th | 827 | Julie Aves | CSC | 12 | 11 | ‑14 | 23 |
| 13th | 715 | Jane Townsend | CSC | ‑16 | 16 | 9 | 25 |
| 14th | 43 | Gretta Davies | CSC | ‑14 | 13 | 12 | 25 |
| 15th | 423 | Georgie Hinde | CSC | ‑13 | 12 | 13 | 25 |
| 16th | 718b | Gary Hogan | EPSC | 15 | 14 | (DNC) | 29 |
| 17th | 218 | Sophie Guyett | CSC | ‑18 | 18 | 15 | 33 |
| 18th | 18 | John Townsend | CSC | 17 | 17 | (DNC) | 34 |
| 19th | 388 | Tim Fawkes | CSC | (DNC) | 20 | 16 | 36 |
| 20th | 64 | Cave Ellson | CSC | 19 | 19 | (DNC) | 38 |