Lark Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club
by John Brickwood 22 May 01:17 BST
14 May 2023
The Lark were excited to travel to Frensham Pond for their last open meeting before the 2023 Lark National Championship at Brixham in only a fortnight's time. Frensham Pond Sailing Club held its open meeting for the Lark Class on Sunday 14th May. The event was shared with the Solo class.
Competitors arrived at Frensham to find no wind and misty conditions. Despite the lack of wind the competitors went afloat and race officer Graham Howlett set a course and set the fleet racing. The first race was lead by John Brickwood and Andy Hicks from Frensham followed closely by fellow Frensham sailors Andy and Katie Shorrocks. Andy and Katie managed to find some wind and took the lead which they held to the finish in drifting conditions with John and Andy second and James and Eluned Stewart from Netley third.
The second race was started in similar conditions and again John and Andy took an early lead. However Andy and Katie again managed to master the drifting conditions and went on to win the race followed by James and Eluned second and John and Andy dropping to third.
Following a break for lunch conditions improved slightly in the afternoon with the slightest of breeze filling in and the sun coming out. John and Andy took an early lead and went on to win the third race from Andy and Katie. Nigel & Fiona Denchfield from Grafham were third and Steve Chatten and Kirtsy Phipps fourth. This setup a final race between John and Andy and Andy and Katie. John and Andy took an early lead which they extended as the breeze increased towards the end of the day. Nigel Hufton and Elsie Baker found some speed to finish second and Andy and Katie third. The result meant John and Andy were winners of the Frank Carter Trophy.
Special mention to Graham Howlett and his race team, who somehow managed to run four good races in very difficult conditions and thank you to Frensham Pond Sailing Club for the traditional competitors free tea.
Now the Lark fleet moves onto the National Championships at Brixham from 28th - 31st May. It looks to be a sensational events with many new faces taking on Lark racing at one of it's finest venues. With a family-friendly, and with a lot of parent/child; husband/wife teams the toughest prizes to win maybe the married couple and master-apprentice trophies.
Take a look at the Runners and Riders article here.