Craftinsure Lark Open Meeting at Banbury Sailing Club

After navigating the HS2 closures, finding our way around Banbury Reservoir was a doodle. Fortunately, the wind was coming almost straight down the lake which enabled long beats and great leeward courses.

There was a four-race programme held jointly with the Wayfarers. The wind was a steady top end force 3 to high force 4 in race 3.

Race 1 began with Stuart and Nick Hydon winning the committee boat end, pushed for the first round with Stuart and Julia Allen. Stuart and Nick gently eased out into a convincing lead leaving the battle for second, third and fourth slots.

Up the final beat Stuart and Julia seemed to have the race for second sewn up only to be caught out with a freshening shifty breeze. This allowed Nigel Scott and Tegwyn Roberts followed by Neil and Sue Firth through to finish ahead of them.

Craftinsure Lark Open at Banbury - photo © Tim Matthews

Race 2 was a repeat of the first race with Nigel and Tegwyn in second. Their second position looked in doubt at one point with Emma Harris and David Marlow favouring the left-hand side of the beat, however, when the boom gave way so did their hopes!

In race 3 the wind increased and once again Stuart and Nick nailed the start and first beat. Emma and David managed to borrow a spare boom which they used to good effect securing a second.

The final race saw Stuart and Nick battle it out for first place from Emma and David. Nigel and Tegwyn took third ahead of Stuart and Julia and then Andy and Toby Ward.

Thanks to the sponsor Craftinsure and Banbury SC for excellent courses and the gallery who kept everyone well fed.

Craftinsure Lark Open at Banbury - photo © Phil Eves

Overall Results:

Stuart and Nick Hydon win the Craftinsure Lark Open at Banbury - photo © Neil Firth