West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series Round 2 at Oxford Sailing Club

The simple art of counting to 3!

Ten visiting boats joined home 2000's for a very eventful game of snakes and ladders at a blustery Oxford Sc on May 10th for round 2 of the West Country Boat Repair 2000 Millennium Series. On ever down wind leg virtually ever boat planned at full speed and also soaked as low as possible throughout the entire day. Add into this mix regular 30 degree slants that only lasted a couple of minutes and you soon realise it was a day when you never felt comfortable in the lead!

Locals Steven and James Clayton, their first time together in a 2000, of course led race 1 but could not hold off Simon Horsfied with father in law Rob Burridge crewing who won the race with the Clayton's 2nd and Pete Vincent/Rebecca Bradley 3rd. Race 2 saw the lead change hands regularly with Vincent/Bradley just getting the better of Horsfield/Burridge in the last 200m to win with 3 up Adrian/Roz/Jessica Stell 3rd with 6 year old Jessica's hat providing extra ballast.

After lunch there was even more place changing. In race 3 the Clayton's and Paul/Sharon Freeland had turns in the lead before the Horsfield/Burridge team sorted out a second race win. Race 4 and lots happened. Richard Franks had a lap to remember getting into a good lead before the now 2 up Stells disappeared into the biggest lead of the day. But now short of a young person who could count they headed to the finish line after only 2 laps. Much of the rest of the fleet acted like sheep and also failed to be able to count to 3 as a bemused PRO wondered what was going on. The Clayton's chuckled their way correctly round the leeward mark and headed up wind followed by a red faced fleet. The Stells were far enough ahead to recover and Horsfield/Burridge climbed back to second. Vincent/Bradley just over took the Clayton's at the end of the final run to claim 3rd and with that gaining 2nd overall.

Richard Franks was first in the silver fleet and Richard/Jess Gibbons from Orford SC in their first ever 2000 event were 1st Family/Junior.

Next fun filled action packed West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series event is at Castle Cove home of National Champions The Pascoe family on May 23rd and 24th. Lets see if the fleet can remember a simple course and have practised counting beyond 2 by then.

Overall Results: