Sailingfast UKLA Thames Valley Series ILCA Open at Fishers Green Sailing Club

by Godfrey Clark 7 May 2024 18:05 BST 4 May 2024

Fishers Green Sailing Club held their annual ILCA open meeting on 4th May which is part of the Sailingfast UKLA Thames Valley Series. The event was generously sponsored with prizes from ILCA Direct. With an increased turnout from last year, ILCAs from 7 different clubs enjoyed sparkling conditions although we could have done with a bit more wind!

With weather forecasts advising a southerly breeze which would back to the south-east during the day, the problem for the RO was whether the early breeze would remain as it was, or if and when, the forecast change would occur?

Race one got away cleanly with local helm Peter Bettles making the best start and keeping to the middle of the course as the breeze shifted left and sometimes dramatically right in total contradiction of the forecast. The up and down breeze was such that a good lead at the top mark could rapidly disappear as the new wind filled in from behind, but Richard held on for the win from Andrew Hill-Smith and Richard Lympmoss.

The same pattern continued for heat two with Richard again narrowly leading the pack as the first five boats broke well clear of the fleet before the fleet returned ashore for a superb pasta lunch.

For race 3 again, the start got away at the first attempt despite an increasingly port biased line as the breeze did finally take a significant step to the south-east. Richard had two wins and decided to make it three, despite being chased closely in the dwindling wind.

With no real chance of a fourth race which the fleet largely seem to prefer, everyone headed home for afternoon tea. With the score-line showing an outright winner and despite a tie on 6 points, the runner up was undisputed whatever tie-break could have been employed.

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail No	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1st	Richard Bettles	195742	Fishers Green	‑1	1	1	2
2nd	Andrew Hill‑Smith	215492	Papercourt	2	4	‑5	6
3rd	Richard Lympmoss	222771	Bowmoor	‑3	3	3	6
4th	Claudia Mancini	172164	Fishers Green	5	‑8	2	7
5th	Graham Newman	161375	Fishers Green	‑6	2	6	8
6th	Mike Atkinson	195812	Fishers Green	‑9	5	4	9
7th	Peter Crompton	200663	Wembley	4	6	‑7	10
8th	Colin Carver	209002	Wembley	7	7	‑9	14
9th	Julian Barker	197764	London Corinthian	8	‑10	8	16
10th	Simon Williams	120300	Fishers Green	10	9	‑13	19
11th	Hannah Baker	195812	Fishers Green	‑11	11	10	21
12th	Roberto Mancini	202093	Fishers Green	‑12	12	11	23
13th	Chris Kilshaw	218940	Reading SC	13	‑14	12	25
14th	Angie Meyer	160684	Fishers Green	‑15	13	15	28
15th	Oz Ahmet	174216	Fishers Green	14	‑15	14	28
16th	Chloe Walmsley	200434	BBSC	16	‑18	16	32
17th	Conrad Smith	152760	Fishers Green	‑17	17	17	34
18th	Jeremy Clayden	149316	Fishers Green	(DNC)	16	DNC	36
19th	Peter Dean	179856	Fishers Green	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	40