TridentUK RS400 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club

An epic weekend was had by all at the TridentUK RS400 Northern Tour season-opener which was run as part of the inaugural Greater Manchester Asymmetric Challenge / GNAC / Flash Dash event at LLSC.

We have had 4 seasons of weather in one weekend and some fabulous and challenging winds, sun wind, rain, hail. It has certainly blown and washed the cobwebs away. There were not many boats that did not capsize.

TridentUK RS400 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Race 1 - very windy, won by Jon Gorringe and Derek Hill from Blackwood and Fleetwood, then a lunch interlude with a lovely sunny lull in the wind followed by another big squall for race 2, another challenging race with lots of capsizes, won by Richard and Heather Marsh from Hollingworth. Race 3, again more challenging conditions won again by Jon and Derek. Well done to all who competed.

Any competitors left on the race course for race 4 decided to vote with their boats and sail ashore, which I'm sure pleased OD Cathy and her trusty crew on the committee boat and the rescue crew who had been exceedingly busy all day.

TridentUK RS400 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Val and her galley team sustained us all with the delicious food and cakes all day and lasagne for evening meal. Our new commodore, Martyn, had us playing 'sailing themed' games in the evening. 'Blow the paper boats round the course with a straw',' the 'ping pong ball with straw' game (not quite sailing themed !) and the team 'tie 4 bowlines in a rope' game (not all sailors seem to know their bowlines - especially when under pressure and under the influence of a bit of booze!). Hope you all enjoyed the free camping on site, sorry about the cold weather.

Day 2, slightly less wind hurrah, giving the super-light weights team John and James Reekie from Bassenthwaite SC a better chance, with a win and 2 seconds. Richard and Heather scooped up 2 more, well deserved, wins and Jon and Derek one more to add to their collection.

TridentUK RS400 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Thanks to the sponsors, Trident, for the overall prizes and for the raffle prize vouchers. Thanks to all the visiting competitors for visiting LLSC. We hope you will all come back.

Sorry the write up is not so long but we were upside down or out of action part of the time!

Overall Results: