Draycote Youth ILCA Open

Draycote Youth ILCA Open © Mark Dunkley & Clemmie Middle

Draycote Youth ILCA Open © Mark Dunkley & Clemmie Middle

A new event in the Draycote calendar and an opportunity for some fresh air over the festive break. The format was simple, two races in the morning, a short lunch then two more races in the afternoon, around a trapezoid course. The format was well received and 40 sailors pre-registered for the event with a fairly even spilt between 4s and 6s.

With the short days at this time of year getting started on time was going to be important. Competitors were on site early and delighted to see a steady 14knot of breeze from the west. The forecast was for slightly more wind and at registration there were a few sailors changing rig sizes leaving 17 on start 1 in the 6 rig and 20 on start 2 in the 4s.

The club was bustling with the Draycote Academy Topper and 420 squads both in attendance on day two of their Christmas training camp.

Registration and briefing done D flag up and the fleets launched all on time for a 10,30 start. Wind now a steady 17 knots 225degrees the race office set a 3-lap course. The Ilca 6 were off with a cautious start, the 4s followed with an equally cautious start, both fleets stayed tightly packed around the course with some great fleet racing. Richie Thurlby from Hill head SC took the win in the 6 and Archie Burton from Pennine won the 4s.

Race 2 and the drizzle started and saw the wind pick up 20 knots with some bigger gusts coming down the lake the direction both fleets were giving 100% and with a few people swimming the fleets spread a little and the leaders were getting away.

Christopher Marsh from Whitstable took the win in the 6 and Ted Ball from Draycote in the 4s. In for lunch and as promised it was short and 15 minutes after the last boat ashore D flag was up and the fleet were launching again for Race 3.

Both fleets came back to the start area ready to race and now the line was being pushed hard and this resulted in some sailors being asked to come back in the 6s and the 4s were even more keen and this resulted in a general recall, try again and away with only one boat asked to return. Felix McMullan from Draycote took an early lead in the 6 and held on to this for the 2 laps to take the win. Ted ball in the 4's secured a 2nd win so it was all to play for into the final race.

The line was tweaked to give some pin bias and this helped to spread the fleet and two clean starts for race 4.

George Colquitt from West Kirby finished a consistent day with a race win in the 6's to win the event with James Curtis of Bosham in 2nd, Richie Thurlby of Hill head sailing club in 3rd while Ted and Archie battled it out for the 4's race win which would decide the event, Archie won race 4 taking the event on count back, Freddie Sunderland from Draycote had come back from lunch taking two thirds to complete the podium in the 4s.

A very successful event and we look forward to repeating the process at Draycote again next year.

Overall Results: