2.4mR Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club
by Paul Schroeder 29 Jun 2022 19:14 BST
24-26 June 2022
Frensham Pond 2.4mR Open © Richard Weeks
The 2022 2.4mR Open Meeting started with a coaching session on Friday evening given by our own World and European Champion, Megan Pascoe. For a number of us this involved a major change in the way we sailed the boat, more twist was the watchword.
The racing consisted of two on Saturday afternoon and four on Sunday where we were very thankful for Club allowing us to have the water to ourselves. The wind varied between SSW and WSW with speed of about 15 knots but large, shifty gusts of at least 20. This provided challenging but exhilarating sailing, allowing the 2.4mR to demonstrate its heavy weather capability. There were 15 entries, 10 from FPSC and 5 visitors, including Rudy Trejo from Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club in Florida, USA, although he lives in Chicago.
The first race set the pattern for the event with Megan taking the lead after a couple of laps and holding it to the end. Because of the wind direction the course was short with 5 to 7 minute laps; everyone lost track of the number of laps but the best guess was 9 or 10, so rather like an intense training session with no time to relax and catch a breath. Megan went on to win all the races, although a few times she was made to work for it. Between the races there was an enormous downpour which was gratefully received by the competitors and helpers - NOT! At the end first day Megan was lying in first with Paul Schroeder 2nd and Nev Millard 3rd. The day was completed by an excellent curry from the Pipasha, India Restuarant in Churt.
Anybody hoping that Sunday would provide some respite were sorely disappointed with the wind just as strong and gusty but fortunately it had veered a few degrees giving a slightly longer course. After a clean start in race 3 Megan got away but Bruce Hill found his form to finish 2nd with Jazz Turner (Newhaven & Seaford SC) a well-earned 3rd.
Race 4 saw Bruce lead the fleet over the line early causing a general recall and bringing the "U" flag out for the rest of the event. At the second attempt the fleet got away cleanly and the race continued with major shifts and gusts. With Megan first Rudy battled to an excellent 2nd and Myron Prosser 3rd.
Kate Hedley was clearly fortified by her lunch because in the afternoon she put two good races together with 4th in the fifth race and 3rd in the sixth. In the afternoon the conditions really started to take their toll with 9 finishers in Race 5 and only 7 in the final race. A particular acknowledgement must be given to our own Rob Anstey, a real newbie to the 2.4mR who delivered a 4th in the final race.
With Megan 1st, Bruce 2nd, Paul 3rd and Nev Millard 4th FPSC sailors filled the top four slots, local knowledge or just skill?? Congratulations to Jazz Turner Newhaven & Seaford SC) who finished 5th and was the first visitor.
Of the fourteen entries, six were Para sailors showing the amazing capability of the International 2.4mR to provide really inclusive sailing, even in difficult conditions. The final results had two Para sailors in the top four, few other classes can deliver this.
Finally we must thank the Race Officer, John Townsley, who delivered fair and excellent racing in very difficult conditions. We must also thank all the volunteers who made the event go so smoothly and Kate for her brilliant organisation.