ILCA 7 Thames Valley Grand Prix at King George Sailing Club

ILCA 7 open meeting at King George SC © Dan Fox

We were welcomed with a shifty force 2 oscillating from the West to South West, but, the sun was out! A quick briefing on the shore regards course (triangle/sausage/triangle) and starting order and we were off.

Race 1 got under way without any hassle, the fleet split up looking for the best pressure, local sailor Tony Cooper found a favourable gust (very skilfully I might add) and established quite a lead by the windward mark, which he held until the end. The rest of the fleet were in an up and down battle where everyone seemed to get their turn at the front of the chasing pack.

Local club hero Leo Bridger was in second for a good time but a rotten shift on the last windward mark meant he hit it and as the boats were so close by the time he took his penalty was down to seventh. Richard Lymposs from Bowmoor eventually came out on top of the chasing pack finishing second with Jim Fifield third.

The second race got under way quickly with a slight change in the windward mark. Everyone was a bit over excited by this and a general recall followed. Second time away, all was well and the first beat had a very similar look to it as the first race, but this time local sailor Jim Fifield found the wind (lucky really hahaha) and sailed off into the sunset!

It was then left for the rest of us to battle it out for second, Pete Edel (Commodore), Bowmoor Richard, Tony and another local sailor Tim Le Couilliard all took turns looking for the second spot. In the end Pete was second and Richard third.

We generally run three races back to back at King George to get in the bar earlier so most were figuring out who had to do what to win - I came to the conclusion it was like old school playground football; next goal wins. So whoever wins the last would be the winner, Richard, Pete, Tony Tim, Jim were all in with a shout.

No funny business up the first beat this time and the five of us pretty much rounded the mark together. We then proceeded to change places continually for the next 30 minutes. In the end Jim came out a worthy winner, Tim finished second, Pete third and Tony fourth.

So Jim took the win with two bullets (good work on a tricky day), the next three shared 5 points which were split on countback. An excellent days sailing had by all and as always thanks to our volunteers Dan Fox (RO), James Le Couilliard (RO), Rodger White, Susan and David Leese.

There are more pictures on our social media sites:
www.instagram.com/kinggeorgesc
www.facebook.com/KingGeorgeSailingClub

Overall Results: