GAMES 3 Marblehead event at Frensham Pond Sailing Club
by Roger Stollery 24 Mar 15:41 GMT
22 March 2023
Second-placed Rob Vice's UP (41) in a match with third-placed Paul Tickner's GRUNGE (38) - GAMES 3 Marblehead event at Frensham © Gillian Pearson
The FPSC Radio Sailing Group organised organised eleven races for the eight competitors in blustery conditions. RO Nick Royce overcame an almost impossible problem of the variable 6-15 mph south-westerly wind blowing from behind the control area. He opted for a running start down to the leeward gate and then back to the windward mark and spreader.
As this wind was less than the forecast, 'A' rigs were the order of the day and in the gusts offwind there was some really fast exciting planing with the occasional rudder showing and a few broaching wipeouts, particularly in the afternoon, when some boats changed to C rigs.
On the beat the fleet split at the gate to find the best side of this unpredictable wind, with no certainty of success. However all but two of the fleet won races and three had multiple wins. Rob Vice sailing his UP won the first and 3rd races, but then had some technical problems.
Race 2 was won by Bob Isles sailing a STARKERS and the next two races before lunch were won Roger Stollery also sailing an UP.
However the lunchtime leaderboard was headed by David Cole sailing a GRUNGE, who was the most consistent with three second places and a third to score 9 points followed by Bob Isles with 13 and Rob with the same score third.
David then won Races 6 and 7 and continued to be very consistent with a second and two thirds to win the event easily.
The famous Frensham Pond tea of cakes and sandwiches was shared with the 10 Rater class who were sailing in the other fleet for a tankard. The winners thanked the race team for running another good event in the difficult conditions.
Frensham Results:
!st David Cole - Hampton Court - GRUNGE - 19 points
2nd Rob Vice -Guildford - UP - 25 points
3rd Paul Tickner -Guildford - GRUNGE - 26 points
4th Bob Iles - Poole - STARKERS - 33 points
5th Roger Stollery -Guildford - -UP - 34 points
6th Barrie Martin - London MYC - STARKERS - 34 points
7th Richard Baldey - Frensham - WHISPER - 55 points
8th Bob Pearson- Gosport - STARKERS - 68 points
Leaders of the GAMES series after event 3 are now:
1st Rob Vice - 203.7 points
2nd Roger Stollery - 167.9 points
3rd Nigel Barrow - 161.2 points