Osprey Welsh and Midlands Trophy at Tata Steel Sailing Club

Osprey Welsh and Midlands Trophy at Tata Steel Sailing Club © Ros Downs

Twelve Ospreys attended the opening event of the season and the Welsh and Midlands Trophy hosted by Tata Steel Sailing Club.

Saturday's forecast was not promising with F5 gusting 8 predicted for the start of racing with the wind building throughout the afternoon. The race officer showed commendable enthusiasm, set a course and started on time with two races back to back planned followed by a late lunch and wind permitting a 3rd race.

Race 1 was run in a force 5 gusting lots. The conditions proved challenging with lots of place changes due to capsizes and inspections of the centre board leading to resulting place changes. DJ Edwards and Mikey Grieg had to retire when Mikey proving he had not lost any strength over the winter pulled block off the boar. Terry Curtis and Peter Grieg took the win from Jason Taylor and Matthew Taylor in second with Kevin Francis and Jonathan Osgood in 3rd.

With the wind building the lighter crews decided that discretion was the better part of valour race 2 got under way with a reduced fleet, F6 gusting F8. DJ Edwards and Mikey Grieg afire an amazingly quick repair and help from the shore crew won from Terry Curtis and Peter Grieg as the only two finishers. As the wind was now gusting about 40knots race was postponed to Sunday.

DJ Edwards receives the Welsh and Midlands Spectacular Trophy - photo © Ros Downs

Sunday dawned and the wind had not abated by as much as forecast. New to the fleet Charlie Chandler and Olly Hopkins arrived and rigged ready for the 10:30 start. Welcome to the fleet guys. Race 3 and 4 were very similar with the variable wind providing for lots of snakes and ladders. For both races first was DJ Edwards and Mikey Grieg, 2nd Terry Curtis and Peter Grieg, 3rd Charlie Chandler and Olly Hopkins.

For race 5 the wind dropped to a relatively light F4 gusting 5. DJ Edwards and Mikey Grieg, who had managed to keep the boat upright in the windier conditions, provided hope the fleet with a capsize at the gybe mark right in front of the club house. In doing so the race team awarded them the Welsh and Midlands Spectacular Trophy. 1st Terry and Peter, 2nd Kevin and Jonathan and 3rd Jason and Mathew.

Overall Peter won the battle of the brothers Grieg. With Terry Curtis and Peter Grieg coming first, DJ Edwards and Mikey Grieg 2nd and 3rd Jason Taylor and Matthew Taylor.

Overall Results: