Marblehead GAMES 5 event and Halfpenny Trophy at Guildford Model Yacht Club, Abbey Meads

A relaxed scene, but high levels of concentration - Marblehead GAMES 5 event and Halfpenny Trophy at Abbey Meads © Martin Crysell

Despite a small entry, 16 races were sailed on a hot summers day in light east north-east variable breezes and created some close and exciting finishes.

RO Martin Crysell set a two lap windward-leeward course with a selection of three windward marks, starting and finishing on a line between them, with each race taking approximately 15 minutes.

Nigel Barrow, sailing a borrowed F6, started well with three straight wins and set the pace for the chasing pack of Barrie Martin sailing a STARKERS SQUARED and Dave Andrews sailing a GRUNGE.

The lunchtime leaderboard was headed by Nigel with 10 points, Barrie 12 and Roger Stollery 20.

Roger Stollery 117 approches the finish in race 15, with Nigel barrow 31 beyond - Marblehead GAMES 5 event and Halfpenny Trophy at Abbey Meads - photo © Martin Crysell

The afternoon results, now with only five racing, belonged to Roger with four wins, two seconds and a third, but the main interest was whether Nigel could hold onto his lead over Barrie, who had three wins in this session. However Nigel's consistency with just one win and 4 seconds allowed him to win the new HALFPENNY Trophy by just one point!

At the prize-giving Nigel thanked Martin and Keith Parrott for running another good GAMES event and like every open event at Abbey Meads there is also a prize for the last competitor still racing; without those at the bottom of the list there would be no winners.

Racing a Marblehead for the first time, Celia Greetham was delighted with her micro-turbo cutter!

Nigel Barrow (L) receives trophy from RO Martin Crysell - Marblehead GAMES 5 event and Halfpenny Trophy at Abbey Meads - photo © Roger Stollery

Results:

1st Nigel Barrow, Frensham Pond, F6 - 22 points
2nd Barrie Martin, London MYC, STARKERS - 23 points
3rd Roger Stollery, Guildford MYC, UP - 32 points
4th Graham Hetem, Datchet Water, F6 - 54 points
5th Celia Greetham, London MYC, ROAR EDGE - 58 points
6th David Andrews, London MYC, GRUNGE - 78 points
7th David Cole, Hampton Court, GRUNGE - 99 points

GAMES current standings:

1st Nigel Barrow - 350.1 points
2nd Roger Stollery - 261 points
3rd Paul Tickner - 230.6 points

Barrie Martin (L) receives runner-up prize from RO Martin Crysell - Marblehead GAMES 5 event and Halfpenny Trophy at Abbey Meads - photo © Roger Stollery