DF95 Spring Series event 10 at Barton's Point for East Kent Radio Sailing Club

DF95 Spring Series event 10 at Barton's Point © Peter Jackson

With a southerly wind last weeks A class Nationals course was used, re-set by Dave Adams, for the penultimate East Kent RSC DF95 Spring Series event. 13 races of the planned 16 were run in 'A' rig conditions and hot sunshine.

With Jim La-Roche out speed-testing his RG65 for the weekends Nationals each skipper called the line in turn, only 3 avoiding the job. The system worked well and an early race win each went to Alan Hounsell, Rob Owens, Dave Adams, after Peter Jackson went aground while leading then Peter, then Adrian Tomlinson after passing Peter at the finish, going on to make it two wins in a row.

After three second spots for Adrian the following second places went to Dave, Peter, then Dave twice, Alan, Peter again then Rob. Third spots went to Mike Brand, Peter Gover (3 times) and Alan in the faltering shifty wind. For race 5 an early sea breeze brought a 180 degree shift and a more consistent strength of 8-10 knots from a cooling N.E direction in the 30 degree temperatures.

With the new breeze Adrian got back to form, hitting the front again in races 8 and 9. Mike Brand had finally got a bullet in race 7, from Dave and Peter Glover, but, along with Dave, suffered electrical problems, both dropping out of the picture. Peter Jackson and Rob Owens were nip and tuck behind Adrian then Alan hit a purple patch with wins in races 10 and 11 to get himself right back in the frame for the event.

Jim's RG65, blue like Peter's DF95, caused a little confusion for some but Jim kept it out of the way as the fight for the final places came to a head. Alan's challenge died, fading to finish with two fifth places as Peter J plugged in another win in race 12. Adrian finished the day with a solid 3,3,1 to fend off the challenges for his top spot.

Peter's final places of 2,1,3 held off Rob Owens for second overall. Rob finished just 2 points behind, almost achieving his main aim of beating Peter but he hit the finish mark when leading the last race under pressure from Adrian and Peter, losing three places. The final points difference between Rob and Alan for third, was even smaller. Rob's 4,2,4 finish only putting him one point ahead of club chairman Alan in fourth overall.

Peter Glover's second place in the last race secured fifth spot ahead of Mike and Dave who finished with respectively 3 and six 'DNC's'.

Andrew Nichols had plugged away steadily with a string of fifth and sixth places, keeping Edward Coxon at bay. Andrew's arch rival Spencer Pope beat him three times but succumbed to the heat to retire early, but staying in the top 10 overall ahead of John Barker.

Overall Results: (top ten)

1. 30 Adrian Tomlinson
2. 211 Peter Jackson
3. 479 Rob Owens
4. 380 Alan Hounsell
5. 26 Peter Glover
6. 875 Mike Brand
7. 358 Dave Adams
8. 613 Andrew Nichols
9. 007 Edward Coxon
10. 32 Spencer Pope