DF95 Autumn Series event 1 at East Kent Radio Sailing Club
by Peter Jackson 4 Oct 2024 11:12 BST
3 October 2024
DF95 Autumn Series event 1 at Barton's Point © Peter Jackson
A record 13 boats turned out for East Kent's first Autumn Series event, sailed at Barton's Point until reeds at Ashford are cut back. The N.E. force 3-4 was perfect for A rigs with flat water, blue sky and fluffy clouds.
Alan Hounsell set a perfect course used for all 15 races. Jim LaRoche was taken out in race 1 pre-start and took over starting & recording.
Adrian Tomlinson (30) took the first race from Mike Brand (black sails 875) and Peter Jackson (211) with RYA judge & ex Marblehead racer Rob Owens 4th ahead of Summer series winner Dave Adams (358) who stayed off the pace all day, counting 5's and a 6, taking over Adrians 'Mr Grumpy' role. Race 2 saw the full Royal Temple YC quartet of ex offshore national champions at the front, Peter J winning from Mike B & Paul Woodward with Adrian T 4th. Paul didn't see the podium again but the top 3 joined battle to the end.
The only other winner was newbie Rob Maunder, winning race 4 and man of the match with a 2nd and two 3rd places. Rob Owens managed two 2nd and two more 4th places to pass on the 'consistently average' role to Alan Hounsell, locked in a mid-fleet fight with Peter Glover with a best 4th in race 5 behind Peter, Dave and Rob M. First timer Streaker sailor Lee Goody did well with three 7th's not quite enough to beat Spencer Pope for 10th overall.
The wins were swapped between the top 3, with Mike and Adrian taking 5 each and Peter 4. Adrian sealed the event win by 3 points with a 1st in race 14 after Mike won race 13. Peter responded to 'you're only as good as your last race' with a clear last race win from Rob Owens, but not enough to catch Mike for 2nd place overall. Dave was kept off the podium for the first time in 2024.
Results:
1. Adrian Tomlinson
2. Mike Brand
3. Peter Jackson
4. Dave Adams
5. Rob Maunder
6. Robert Owens
7. Alan Hounsell
8. Paul Woodward
9. Peter Glover
10. Spencer Pope
11. Lee Goodey
12. Ralph Wilkinson
13. Jim La Roche