High winds and drama at the Notts County Sailing Club Cooler 2022

Peter Gray and Rich Pepperdine doing a slow capsize in high winds on Saturday at the Notts County Cooler 2022 © David Eberlin

Laser capsize in high winds on Saturday at the Notts County Cooler 2022 © David Eberlin

The storm warnings were out and there were mild conditions at the first of the Midlands mini series events, the County Cooler.

The Midlands mini series is also calling at Burton (12/13 Feb), Staunton (19/20th Feb) and finally Ogston on 26/27th Feb (details on clubs websites). The events are open to all, and its not to late to join in, members of participating clubs enter for free. Over 40 people entered the Cooler with many coming from the participating local clubs.

Saturday saw some whitecaps at the start of the race along with a few spills, but as the race went on the wind increased to an average of 24 mph with 43 mph gusts and a good number of boats including experienced helms succumbed to the conditions, keeping the safety boats busy.

After the majority of the fleet had finished one tremendous gust of 50mph came through, you could see the white water being whipped up, sheets were let go but no one on the water stayed upright.

Ross Ryan the Race Officer set a course with a couple of beats, reaches, runs giving all the boats a good chance on handicap. The First Race saw Chris Martin and John Tailby (Notts County) win in a Merlin, with a second in the following race they were the overnight leaders. Kevin Hope and Andy Stewart (Notts County) in a Fireball had a fifth and a first and were second overall with Peter Gray and Rich Pepperdine (Staunton Harold) third overnight in a Scorpion.

In the Juniors only Samantha Mason managed to finish in the first race, quite an achievement in this conditions.

Winners Chris Martin and John Tailby flat out in the Merlin in high winds on Saturday at the Notts County Cooler 2022 - photo © David Eberlin

Sunday dawned flat calm but the wind soon started filling in and there was enough for a a sunny 10.30 start. Andy McKee and Steve Graham (Staunton) won the first race in a Scorpion with Chris Martin and John Tailby second. In the final handicap race it was the Scorpion of Pete Gray and Rich Pepperdine who won. There was very little to choose between any of the top four going into the final race, with Chris Martin's consistency giving a small advantage. The Juniors saw Catherine Gunn with a second to Samantha Mason and she won the next two races to win the junior event. Gerry Ball won the windsurfing.

Racing on Sunday in lighter winds at the Notts County Cooler 2022 - photo © David Eberlin

The final race was a non discardable pursuit race was held in light winds and won by Peter Gray, moving him to second overall, Chris Martin was second, to take home the County Cooler trophy.

More photos on ncsc.org.uk/2022/01/29/county-cooler-2022

Overall Results: