GAMES 12 Marblehead open meeting at Three Rivers Radio Yachting Club
by Roger Stollery 15 Nov 2022 08:05 GMT
13 November 2022
A seagul takes a closer look - Stan Cleal Trophy contested at GAMES 12 Marblehead Open at Three Rivers © John Male
Ten competitors from four clubs travelled to Bury Lake in Rickmansworth in gloomy foggy weather and were met with mirror finish water with very little wind. However Race Officer John Male and his race team completed ten races until the wind died completely in mid afternoon.
As Marbleheads have very efficient tall rigs they were able to perform well in what were very frustrating conditions, which needed an immense amount of concentration.
Roger Stollery sailing his UP took the first race from MYA Chairman, Phil Holliday sailing an Australian F6 design, but was second behind David Adam sailing his GRUNGE in Race 2.
Local sailor Tom Rodger won Race 3 with his PRIME NUMBER with Phil second.
The break for a remembrance gathering at the two-minute silence at 11 o'clock was extended to allow Barrie Martin to replace the rudder on his STARKERS 2, which had been chewed up by the propeller of the rescue boat!
Fortunately, Roger had an experimental Dave Hollom sectioned spare, which was fitted and this allowed Barrie to continue racing with some success with a win in Race 4.
Phil, who was hotfoot from Marblehead events in Italy and France, put in a very consistent performance all day and won the next four races before letting Dave take Race 9 and Roger the final race. Phil was using a superb looking light weather swing rig made by the top French Marblehead rigger, Remi Bres.
The trophy was originally donated by Stan Cleal, who created the club in mid-1970s. He set up the Three Rivers Radio Yacht Club and the renting of a small area of the Bury Lake from the local authority. The Club have been using for various classes including the Marblehead very successfully ever since.
On this occasion we were honoured to have his son Maurice visit and present his father's trophy. For more information about the club visit the website www.3rryc.org.uk
Results:
1st Phil Holliday Datchet F6 - 12 points
2nd David Adam 3 Rivers GRUNGE - 21 points
3rd Roger Stollery Guildford UP - 25 points
4th Barrie Martin LMYC STARKERS 2 - 30 points
5th Tom Rodger 3 Rivers PRIME NUMBER - 35 points
6th Martin Crysell Guildford PRIME NUMBER - 36 points
7th Trevor Judd 3 Rivers STARKERS 3 - 48 points
8th Richard Lord 3 Rivers STARKERS 2 - 59 points
9th John Carter 3 Rivers ROK - 60 points
10th Dick Grainge 3 Rivers STARKERS 2 - 63 points