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Ovington 2021 - ILCA 1 - LEADERBOARD

Musto Skiffs at the Ovington Inlands at Grafham Water Sailing Club

by Danny Boatman 21 Mar 16:14 GMT 18-19 March 2023
Startline for the Musto Skiffs at the 2023 Ovington Inlands © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

A very wet morning at Grafham Water welcomed 25 keen Musto skiff sailors on Saturday. In the early part of the week, the forecast looked like it could be a full-on weekend, but as the week went on it became apparent it was going to be the complete opposite. Thankfully, though, the rain did mostly hold off as everyone hit the water.

The first race was started in approx. 5-8 kts and remained consistent for all four of the day's races. Sam Barker and Alistair Conn had an extra gear, which saw them fight it out for 1st and 2nd in all four of the races sharing the spoils. Bill Maughan also had a strong start with two 3rd places followed by further strong results and sat in 3rd overnight. Hot on his heels, though, was Danny Boatman, Rob Richardson, Paul Molesworth, and Mike Matthews, with just 5 points between them.

There was also plenty of great racing going on throughout the rest of the fleet with lots of overtaking and jostling for position. Most of the fleet could be found at the local pub later that evening. It was great to see so many great friends and new faces to catch up on the day's racing.

Sunday arrived with slightly more breeze (though very shifty!) and plenty of fresh faces looking forward to another hard day's racing. The main point of discussion was who would have the upper hand between Alistair and Sam. Danny Boatman got off to a flyer with two 1st places, showing weight is merely an excuse! Rob Richardson was leading the first race going into the first bottom mark before breaking his tiller extension, and sadly retiring from the race.

Sam carried on his impressive form with two 2nd places, whilst Alistair had struggled in the first race, but backed it up with a 3rd in the next race, leaving him with an outside chance. However, Sam sailed a brilliant last race earning the race victory and taking the 2023 Inland title comfortably. Alistair, returning to the circuit, claimed a very solid 2nd place overall, followed by Danny Boatman in 3rd, overhauling his nemesis Bill Maughan on count back!

Outside the podium, Mike Matthews showed great pace again in the final race, claiming 2nd to finish up in 5th place overall. Paul Molesworth sailed well, always in touch with the leading group, and finished in 6th place overall. Dan Vincent claimed 3rd in the final race, having a much improved second day, and finished up 7th overall.

A big congratulations goes to the newbies, some of whom had only sailed the boat a handful of times. It's fair to say by the looks of their faces after each day's racing, they're hooked! A special mention must go to Oli Bull, travelling from Chanonry - superb effort!

A huge thank you to Ovington Boats for putting on another great event and to Musto for the continued support and prizes.

The next events on the circuit are Yorkshire Days on April 1st/2nd (Northern) and Stokes Bay on the 29th/30th April (Southern). Hope to see you all there!

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Pts
1st638Sam BarkerCastle Cove Sailing Club1‑2212219
2nd600Alastair ConnDerwent Reservoir Sailing Club2112‑153514
3rd639Danny BoatmanSunderland Yacht Club5133711‑1730
4th637Bill MaughanSunderland Yacht Club337836‑1430
5th601Mike MatthewsSYC(OCS)105357232
6th582Paul MolesworthSpinnaker SC7664‑128637
7th622Dan VincentStokes Bay SC/ RNSA991064‑12341
8th561Brennan RobinsonGrafham Water Sailing Club6511‑1684741
9th549Robert RichardsonRoyal Windermere Yacht Club474(DNC)RTD5448
10th594Fred CudmoreDWSC811859‑161354
11th615Richard SmithMedway YC12‑1614126111166
12th385Matt JohnsonWeirwood Sailing Club11491513‑181870
13th535David AnnanGrafham Water Sailing Club1481518119‑1975
14th469Nathan StanierStokes Bay Sailing Club1012‑171316101576
15th432Jamie FreemanBrightlingsea Sailing Club‑20171391719984
16th0Mark CooperBurghfield Sailing Club16‑1919191414890
17th410Oliver BullChanonry Sailing Club17‑22181020171092
18th588Andrew WhittleBrightlingsea Sailing Club15‑20161118201292
19th574Jay RickardsCVLSC131521(DNC)715DNC96
20th178John PiattStokes Bay Sailing Club1818121419‑221697
21st294Luke McGillSunderland Yacht Club19142017‑212120111
22nd556Rob HigginsChew Valley Lake Sailing Club(DNC)DNCDNCDNC1013DNC123
23rd625Connor MillerSchull Harbour Sailing Club212122BFD(RTD)2321129
24th605George CousinsRestronguet SC(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNC150

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