The Bartley Beast at Bartley Sailing Club - Round 2

Steve Ward and John Ling during the 2021 Bartley Beast © Josh Oats & Pete Anstey

Les Druyf during the 2021 Bartley Beast © Josh Oats & Pete Anstey

The second Bartley Beast did not disappoint as very strong winds provided for some awesome sailing, albeit in tough cold conditions.

During the day we did get to see batches of brilliant sunshine which help set the backdrop and challenged those 40 visitor and club sailors who turned up again. The OOD's worked hard to set some great courses containing beats, runs and fast reaches in the westerly gradient wind ranging from 17 knots backing to northerly's with consistent gusts in the high 30 knots as you can imagine this provided spectacular viewing from the shore line. At the half way stage, of the four events in the series, the results are wide open and there still leaves the opportunity for more exciting sailing for anyone wishing to get involved, so we look forward to seeing even more competitors for the next stages of the Beast planned for 15th January and the 12th February 2020.

The double handers start saw the two Pauls (Hollis & Keeling) keeping control whilst heading to the first mark closely followed by newly-weds Andy and Ciara Gill in their RS200 and Mark & Colin in their Albacore. But the Beast soon took its first few victims when at number 4 gybe mark many found the large sail area to much to handle and swimming became inevitable. Whilst coming ashore Mark was heard to say "that was brutal" but still with a smile on his face!! Meanwhile Paul Young and Jan Kimber in their Enterprise kept battling and recovered from a swim to finish 2nd on handicap which was brilliant. Birmingham University team put on a great show with 3 Firefly's, as normally they are team racing but this time the sailors were up for another challenge. We don't have all their details but they finished steadily in 4th,5th & 6th a great effort in these testing conditions.

Next to the water were the 28 single handers, including Phantom national champion Andy Couch, who from the start dominated with a clear get go strategy and it must be said he was gone, followed by ILCA of John Ling and Phantom of Steve Ward who ended up playing an impressive hard tacking duel in these very gusty conditions. On the reaches heading to buoy 6 boat speeds must have topped 15/18mph which made the tack a relief rather than the two gybe marks at 4 and 0 which produced some great boat handling skills from those that survived but from others they found the chill of the water unpleasant!

Some notable top sailors Richard Baker, Mike Gibson, Olly Hopkins, Tom Gissane, Tony Jacks, Jonathon Woodward and Phil Taylor felt it time to come in and rest up for the next race. We also had visitors from Redditch SC Will Noyce and Ian in their ILCA's, but they found conditions too tough although Will was so keen to do the last race but as the wind increased felt he better stay ashore. Cecily Webb would not allow the beast to beat her, she managed to complete the course in her ILCA' 6 to record a creditable 19th. Also two other youths Millie and Megan Hardiman in their ILCA' 6 & 4's were not overcome even after a huge wipe out at buoy 4, Megan returned to the course and chased down the fleet, but it was Millie that held on to take glory and was 4th overall ILCA.

Les Druyf worked hard all day and had some powerful off wind legs as did Simon Hardiman but he managed to slip through Les's hold and came in 3rd on the water and on handicap. Nick Eaves in his Solo was equally as impressive and whilst taking the Grand Masters position for the day also showed us that his unrivalled boat skills in these conditions should be a benchmark to others which if you see the photos you can see him planning with most of the board showing (yes going that fast!) James Dawes was one of two Streakers and quickly got the upper hand over Helen Pennock. He managed to finish 7th but was very close on time to the leaders which later in the day he would address! Helen must be congratulated for continuing and completing the same amount of laps as the lead boats meaning she raced the longest time!

Megan Hardiman and Richard Baker during the 2021 Bartley Beast - photo © Josh Oats & Pete Anstey

Alan Birch in his K1 took some battering from the gusts and felt it better to just sail with the main which meant it became hard to handle at times but this meant he kept his feet dry so a good shout especially achieving 12th. Slightly back from him in 18th was Graham Blackwell racing his K1 but these conditions punished sailors that found it hard going and at times the cold fingers took their toll. Two Supervnova's Jeremy Higson and David Stephen both finished very close to each other in 16th & 17th respectfully. With the look of David face after the third reach i think he wished he had his GoPro to record the moment so he could show the family!!

Throughout the fleet other sailors like Oliver Ridgway, Jon Wood and Kerry Webb all push through some enormous gusts and downwind blasts, some even did one or two granddad gybes so not to risk swimming at times which was sensible but when ashore to hear them talk of their survival and achievement was bliss.

After a well-earned rest and some great food from Tilly's café' at BSC sailors returned refuelled and ready to face the increasing winds which now were spiking at 35/38mph

In the Double handers three boats were recorded starting although a few more ventured out to try. Paul Hollis & Paul Keeling in their Merlin locked down and really worked hard as a team although occasionally struggling at the gybe mark with capsizes, they still were in a league of their own. For them it was just a matter of getting home across the line, so they could post two bullets for the day. Unfortunately Andy and Ciara Gill in their RS200 took on to much water and were eventually forced to retire which after a fair while racing was a shame. But the Beast could not tame Paul Young and Jan Kimber in their Enterprise, they carried on and on, recovering from violent gybes to eventually finish a leg down but in 2nd overall for the day and placing them top of leader board in the series...so far.

In the single handers 16 ventured out with 13 recording results. At the start the Phantom of Andy Couch came together with Les and had to do a 720, but as expected this merely incited him to get clear and was soon catching the front pack of John Ling and Steve Ward by the first mark. Then on the second beat John managed to get clear of Steve but was soon over taken by Andy on the reach, although finishing 2nd on the water Andy had done enough to take two bullets for the day with John gaining two seconds. Close behind was James Dawes in his Streaker making good work on the reaches and pulling away from Jonathon Woodward in his Solo but on corrected handicap it was clear that the last reach Jon's powerful effort paid off beating James by just a few seconds.

Les seemed to gather pace as the wind increased and we all were thinking afterwards that we want something that he has got as he came ashore fresh as a daisy!! Not bothered by pulling his boat up the slipway at all well done fit Les! Nick again continued his consistent results finishing 6th overall only just ahead of Millie who again beat her sister in both races. Oliver Ridgway had a better result, we are not certain but believe his feet didn't get wet this time which is reflected in 4th overall ILCA and 8th in that handicap race. Kerry meanwhile was fighting hard but finding conditions increasing tough with the full rig 7 as compared to daughter Cecily who only just came home behind dad in 13th.

Prize giving saw many smiles and stories being told of the fast reach, that gybe that wasn't to be etc etc overall everyone came ashore recognising that conditions like these are really special and if you can tackle them you can probably face anything. Special spot prizes were awarded to Cecily, Millie & Megan, along with the top three from each fleet.

Overall Results:

The remaining Beast events take place in 2022 and space is still available for anyone to book via the Bartley SC web site. The race management team are really looking forward to seeing what the New Year brings, and will the Bartley Beast be tamed?

Many thanks to Josh Oats and Pete Anstey for taking some incredible photos to capture the excitement, which are available to see via the Facebook BSC page.