2000 Class Millennium Series and Latitude Series at Carsington Sailing Club

Prize winners in the 2000 Class Millennium Series and Latitude Series at Carsington © Mark Foley

The Lakes Mortgages' Latitude Series (not to be confused with a festival with a similar name taking place on the same weekend) combined with the West Country Boat Repairs' Millennium Series for a 2000 Class event at Carsington Sailing Club.

Carsington has been a regular fixture on the 2000 class calendar for more than 20 years, and the regulars were delighted to meet up with local sailors and old friends Will and Wendy Hitchman and Dan and Kat Rule, back in the class after a few years' break.

The forecast was for continuous rain and a 10kts southerly breeze gusting up to 22kts - probably the best direction for the lake, but it was still important to stay in phase with the shifts The story of the weekend was about looking out for the gusts, and those tricky decisions on downwind angles - whether to sail high and fast, or low and slow - those who were consistently successful got it right and mastered the skill of changing gear as the gusts came through.

The race officer used laid marks throughout the weekend, and set a windward leeward course making the most of the space available.

In race 1, Ed and Reuben Dodwell, and Will Hitchman and Kate Franklin picked up the early gusts and sped off down the lake, with Will and Kate taking the win.

Pete Vincent was sailing with local sailor, Emma Bennison who had never been in an asymmetric before, and had a few issues with the kite to start off with, but they soon worked their way up the fleet into 3rd position. A close fought battle between Martin and Emily Roots and Helen and Andrew Phillips, both of Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, saw Martin and Emily just squeeze ahead into fourth.

In race 2, Ed and Reuben took a clear lead from the start, leaving Will and Kate to trade places with Helen and Andrew for much of the race for 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Race 3 was very much a repeat of race 1, with Will and Kate, Ed and Reuben, Pete and Emma picked up an early lead, and a closely fought battle between the two Cardiff Bay boats for 4th and 5th, with Martin and Emily just having the edge.

Competitors enjoyed a meal in the clubhouse on Saturday night, and catching up over a few beers.

Sunday morning dawned with an unexpected hint of sunshine, which was quickly followed by a brief shower. The wind had shifted more towards the west, which meant using marks which were closer to the dam wall. With lighter winds, there were fewer opportunities to get the boats on the plane, but sailing high and fast meant a risk of having to cover too much ground.

In Race 4, Ed and Reuben picked up a gust from the first mark which they carried the length of the lake, and popped out in front the rest of the fleet who had taken a more cautious middle line. As throughout the weekend, the first 3 places were contested between Ed and Reuben, Will and Kate, and Pete and Emma, with Pete and Emma taking the win.

Race 5 started with a heavily starboard biased line and a short beat to a mark under the dam. Some very tricky shifts took some people from the front to the back of the fleet, and stopped others in their tracks. A horrid black cloud came through the fleet, bringing with it some welcome wind, and not so welcome rain, with another win for Will and Kate, Pete and Emma in second, and local sailor Mick Steer, who always seems to know where the wind is going to come from next, in third.

The final race was sailed in generally lighter conditions. Will and Kate led the fleet downwind from the top mark, taking the high and fast route to the left, meanwhile Helen and Andrew carried on a few boat lengths further, gybed, and sailed pretty much straight down the lake to the leeward mark, popping out in second place. They were overtaken soon after by Pete and Emma, but then enjoyed a close battle with Ed and Reuben, tacking on the line to cross just ahead of them for 3rd.

With the event having two sponsors, the prize table was groaning with wine and chocolates, and a few other goodies provided by the class association. Competitors were treated to chocolate cake, courtesy of Imogen McEwing - we've missed you Immy!

In addition to sponsors' prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, prizes were awarded to Stephen and Joshua Wright for their first Millennium Series event, Ed and Reuben Dodwell, first family / junior, Martin and Emily Roots - silver fleet, and Mick Steer and Tim Cresswell - bronze fleet.

Overall Results:

Prize winners in the 2000 Class Millennium Series and Latitude Series at Carsington - photo © Mark Foley

Prize winners in the 2000 Class Millennium Series and Latitude Series at Carsington - photo © Mark Foley

Prize winners in the 2000 Class Millennium Series and Latitude Series at Carsington - photo © Mark Foley