RS200 SW Ugly Tour 2022 Round 2 sponsored by West Country Boat Repairs, at South Cerney Sailing Club

RS200 SW Ugly Tour 2022 Round 2 at South Cerney © Dave Fewiings

RS200 SW Ugly Tour 2022 Round 2 at South Cerney © Dave Fewiings

A total of 19 boats travelled from both sides of the country, St. Mawes and Broadstairs; for the second round of the West Country Boat Repairs RS200 Ugly tour held at South Cerney Sailing Club in the Cotswold Water Park on Saturday 7th May.

A shifty north easterly wind meant that Race Officer, Gary Morris was able to set a windward leeward course that made maximum use of the lake, though the constantly moving wind direction made for exciting racing with frequent place changing.

In race one, the fleet got away cleanly at the first attempt, Nick Smith and Hannah Metcalfe-Smith (Thornbury) lead around the bottom mark at the end of the first lap but slipped to third by the end of the race, their best result of the day. Meanwhile Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill (St Mawes) were carving their way up through the fleet from 8th on the first lap to take the gun with Cliff and Bec Milner (Cotswold) second.

In the second race the fleet were more pushy resulting in a general recall, the second start was under the 'U' flag and this time the fleet got away cleanly. This time it was Matt Banbrook and Esther Heathcote; part of the Bowmoor youth fleet with hon except of ancient mariner Ian Pickard; who lead at the end of the first lap but once again Henry and Ashley fought their way to the front taking another bullet, with John Teague and Naomi Pound (Bristol CYC) second and James Williams and Rose Hallam (Chew Valley/St Mawes) third.

RS200 SW Ugly Tour 2022 Round 2 at South Cerney - photo © Dave Fewiings

After a well-earned lunch, race three began under 'U' flag, unfortunately Henry Hallam (1621) and Ian Pickard (1165) were a little premature and had to sit this race out allowing Cliff and Bec Milner (1289) to narrowly take this race from John Teague and Naomi Pound (1365) with Chris Baker and Jenni Wyatt (Bristol CYC) in third.

After a short break whilst the race committee adjusted the course the final race got under way, another close fought contest with Ioan Lavery and Clare Allen (Cardiff BYC)) rounding off a day of very steady improvement to give a score line of 13, 10,6,1. Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill (1621) second place more than good enough for overall victory and Cliff and Bec Milliner (1289) third securing 2nd overall.

So it is off to the total delight of St Mawes for round 3 with defending SW Ugly Tour champion sitting pretty with a 1.2 scoreline. Can winners at of round 1 at Llandegfedd Merrick Stanley/Victoria Upton beat the Cornish aces in their back yard? Watch this space!

Overall Results: