Border Counties at Shotwick Lake - Shifts, Swims and Streakers

by Gaz Henshall 25 May 06:54 BST 19 May 2026

Shotwick Lake served up a proper mixed bag for the latest Border Counties meeting: shifty breezes, gusts nudging 20 knots, plenty of close racing, and just enough chaos to keep the spectators entertained.

From gentle drifters to full-send planing conditions, the day had a bit of everything — including a few unexpected swimming lessons.

Race One - Light Airs and Tight Margins

Race one got away cleanly, although it quickly became apparent that the right-hand side of the course was going to pay as the wind swung around. The early honours went to Paul Newman in his Streaker, who nailed the start at the committee boat end and immediately looked in control.

Most of the fleet managed to squeeze around the windward mark without incident, although only just in some cases. The GP14 split off early looking for clean air on the favoured right side, while the rest of the fleet remained tightly packed together as the breeze suddenly softened.

Paul rounded the first mark ahead, but behind him things became considerably more "Border Counties". The starboard lay line turned into a game of inches as boats pinched, barged and generally negotiated personal space in the politest way sailors know how. Simon and Julie squeezed their Miracle through the congestion, while several mid-fleet boats appeared to be attempting entirely different courses at the same time.

At the end of lap one, Paul still led the way, but the fleet remained remarkably compressed, with only around 90 seconds separating second place from 16th. Tight racing was the order of the day.

By lap two the front three had really closed together. Visiting sailor Pete in another Streaker had hauled himself right onto Paul's transom, with just seven seconds between them, while Ted's Solo sat only another 10 seconds back. Behind them, an eight-boat gaggle featuring Streakers, Solos, a GP14, Miracles and Supernovas were all covered by around 30 seconds — the sort of racing that keeps the race team reaching for binoculars and Dictaphones in equal measure.

The final run produced a classic Streaker showdown, with Paul and Pete planing hard toward the final marks. In the end, Paul Newman held on for line honours by just nine seconds in a cracking finish to the opening race.

Race Two - Breeze On

After lunch came a full course change following a dramatic 90-degree wind shift. Thankfully, the breeze had also filled in nicely, sitting around 12 knots initially and steadily building through the race. The new course gave the fleet a full-length beat up the lake — excellent for spectators, slightly less excellent for tired legs.

The second start was clean again, with boats charging off the line in 15-17 knots. Unsurprisingly, Paul Newman produced another excellent committee boat start, closely shadowed by Mark Neild in his Laser Radial. Both quickly poked clear of the fleet, although there was still a long beat ahead before anyone could get too comfortable.

At the windward mark it was Mark's Laser Radial that emerged first, opening a small gap over James in his Supernova after an excellent first beat. Another Radial helmed by Thomas followed close behind as the fleet thundered into increasingly breezy reaches.

By the end of lap one, however, Pete's Streaker had established a healthy lead of around 30 seconds over Mark and James, while the remainder of the fleet streamed through in one large compressed group. Once again, the racing throughout the fleet was incredibly close.

The wind continued to build through lap two, touching 18-20 knots at times, and Shotwick fully transformed into a planing playground. Simon and Julie's Miracle was absolutely flying down the reach to mark nine, while several Supernovas looked equally at home in the stronger conditions.

Special mention must go to local sailor Ian in his Laser, who somehow managed to death roll while going upwind — an achievement that surely deserves either a trophy or at least a detailed debrief back ashore.

Out front, visiting sailor Pete Coop stretched away in his Streaker and looked increasingly comfortable as the breeze built.

The race committee also enjoyed a front-row seat for the final gybe mark into the finish — and what a finish it was. One Streaker (Paul) capsized dramatically near the line, closely followed by a RS200 (Nayth & Pete) that also decided to go swimming, while the rest of the fleet performed emergency avoidance manoeuvres worthy of a motorway pile-up. Boats threaded through the chaos in every direction imaginable, making for a spectacular end to an already lively race.

Pete took line honours with a well-earned victory, ahead of James in the Supernova and Mark in the Laser Radial.

Race Three - One Last Blast

Race three started cleanly once again, with Paul this time getting away well from the pin end. Meanwhile, Thomas' Laser Radial and another Pete's Streaker favoured the committee boat end and quickly established themselves near the front.

There was also an early casualty down the port end, where one sailor found themselves ducking back behind the line before apparently deciding that capsizing on the gybe was the logical next step, any guesses who? That's right, our local swimming expect, Ian. He tells me he likes to check that the fish are all ok at least once a race. By race three, everyone was fully committed to the "all-action" approach.

The breeze remained firmly in the high teens, and James in the Supernova once again showed just how much he was enjoying the stronger conditions by rounding the windward mark first. Pete's Streaker followed, then Lee's Solo, with Paul not far behind.

By the end of lap one, James had opened around a 30-second advantage over Pete and Lee in the Solo, with the fleet becoming slightly more spread out — perhaps a sign that the day's conditions were beginning to take their toll.

Lap two saw the battle at the front intensify dramatically. James and Pete traded blows throughout the lap, with only four seconds separating them at one stage. Halfway through the final lap the Streaker appeared to edge ahead, and suddenly line honours looked wide open.

The final gybe mark provided the perfect climax. James and Pete rounded virtually side by side before sprinting for the line, with local hero James just managing to hold on in the Supernova. Only three seconds separated them at the finish in one of the closest races of the day.

Behind them, the fleet was more comfortably spread out — although by that point a few sailors were undoubtedly dreaming more about hot drinks than tactical positioning.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Shotwick delivered an excellent day's racing with close battles throughout the fleet and conditions that kept everyone guessing. At times the wind was light, shifty and tactical; at others it was full hiking-and-hang-on territory with gusts approaching 20 knots.

There were plenty of close encounters, plenty of planing rides, and more than a few unexpected swims,and even one fishing boat with Geoff and Chris scooping up a fish all be it a tiddler when they chose to unexpectedly wash out their Miracle, but the racing remained competitive, fair and good-humoured throughout.

It was also fantastic to see such a strong turnout of visiting sailors once again. The Border Counties series continues to prove hugely popular, and judging by the smiles — and occasional exhausted stagger back up the slipway — everyone enjoyed another memorable day at Shotwick Lake.

A special mention must also go to Dot, who kept everyone fuelled and smiling throughout the day with a seemingly endless supply of hot drinks and cake from the galley. After several races in shifty gusts and near-20-knot blasts, the tea and cake may well have been as competitive as the racing itself.

After prize-giving thanks were given to all of the team at Shotwick for looking after us all on and off the water THANK YOU as without all of you none of us could enjoy the days sailing.

Next event is at Shropshire SC on Tuesday June 16th full details of the series are on our website.

So why not come and join our friendly Tuesday club it's better than being in work!

If you want any information about the series then please see our website.

Overall Results:

Pos	Class	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1st	STREAKER	2177	Pete Coop		Nantwich	‑3	1	1	2
2nd	SOLO	6107	Ted Garner		Budworth	2	‑16	3	5
3rd	STREAKER	1621	Paul Newman		Shotwick	1	‑10	5	6
4th	LASER RADIAL	226633	Mark Nield		Shotwick	‑4	2	4	6
5th	SUPERNOVA	406	James Stark		Shotwick	‑16	5	2	7
6th	MIRACLE	4011	Simon Dolman	Julie Dolman	Shotwick	5	4	‑8	9
7th	SOLO	5600	Lee Nanteruis		Shropshire S C	‑7	3	7	10
8th	LASER RADIAL	132365	Thomas Walker		Nantwich	6	‑9	6	12
9th	GP14	14294	Peter Thoms	Dawn Frost	Nantwich	9	6	(DNC)	15
10th	STREAKER	2159	Dom Oakeshott		Nantwich	8	8	‑9	16
11th	MIRACLE	4103	Dave Thomas	Shan Stapley	Shotwick	‑10	7	10	17
12th	LASER/ ILCA 7	135620	Ian Duncan		Shotwick	‑13	13	11	24
13th	SUPERNOVA	1184	Garry Butterfield		Bartley	11	‑14	13	24
14th	RS 200	1007	Nayth Twiggs	Pete Chambers	Budworth Winsford	12	‑18	12	24
15th	SOLO	5257	Paul Clancy		Budworth	‑15	11	14	25
16th	STREAKER	2165	Sandy Mill		Shotwick	14	12	‑16	26
17th	MIRACLE	4108	Geofrey Weir	Chris Draper	Shotwick	‑18	17	15	32
18th	LIGHTNING 368	439	Judith Stratton		Shotwick	‑17	15	17	32
19th	SOLO	4463	Stuart Guy		Shotwick	19	(RET)	DNC	39