Newbiggin by the Sea Sailing Club Winter Open 2006

Newbiggin by the Sea Sailing Club held their 2006 Winter Open meeting on Saturday 2nd of December & Sunday 3rd December 2006. The weather on the Saturday was fine with the wind around force 4 to 5 which made erecting the tent an entertaining spectator sport. Despite the unpleasant weather forecast we had 18 boats from as far a field as Hull and Berwick.

The first race was slightly delayed by a presentation of the RYA N E Young Sailor of the Year 2006 was awarded to Tom Holland from Kielder - North east young sailor of the year award was awarded to Tom Holland from Keilder Water Sailing Club . Once the presentation was over the first race got under way, the course was an extended figure of eight with inflatable Santa's and Snowmen as marks of the course. The first race was won by Adam Larvin from Beaver SC, closely followed by David & Jackie Gebhard from Derwent SC with Steven Gill from Berwick SC in third.

After the first race was completed every one came in for a short break to thaw out and grab some food.. During the break the wind had picked up and was now much gustier proving too much for some of the younger competitors. The rest of them had a very exciting race with some screaming reaches. The second race was again won by Adam Larvin with David & Jackie Gebhard bearing down on him as he crossed the line. Howard Stevenson & Alistair Middlemiss from Tynemouth SC were a close third. After the second race finished we all packed away and went home.

On Sunday we all turned up to the QEII in Ashington and decided not to put up the tent as the wind was gusting force 8. Fortunately the local fishermen made their hut available for use as in impromptu canteen. Despite the weather forecast promising winds exceeding 40 knots we still had 7 boats turn up. The weather brightened up and the wind dropped slightly so we held race 3. Following a very exciting race during which a very flukey wind swung between force 3 to 6 , Adam Larvin once again in won , closely followed by a laser and the national 12.

As the lull appeared to be continuing race four got underway but shortly after the start a sudden vicious squall shot down the lake in a matter of seconds and the race had to be abandoned. Jenny Tindale of Newbiggin Life presented the prizes as soon as the boats had been packed away. We would like to thank Newbiggin Life and. Trident-uk, wansbeck disrtict council, robbie storriar and Phill Lynch for their generous sponsorship of the event and for a hardy bunch of sailors who braved the elements.

Overall Results: