Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series 2026 at Bala Sailing Club
by Dave Thomas 25 Jul 18:40 BST
We were expecting a low turnout for this event due to the forecast of barely a hint of wind however 25 boats turned up in the hope the weather people got it wrong, sadly they didn't.
Racing was due to start at 11.00 prompt but the OOD decided to hold back and see if it filled in so we sat on the lawn in the sunshine with our bacon butties (lovely) and coffee (thanks to the cafe team) and watched the air show kindly supplied by the RAF I know we came to sail but at least this is better than work !
The wind turned 180 degrees and started to pick up so we set off for race 1 at 12.50 as we headed up the first beat the wind held up until we rounded the windward mark, unfortunately the wind was coming and going so if you were lucky (or well planned) you kept on moving, with everyone staying fairly bunched up we eventually headed to the finish line after just one lap.
It was decided to run races 2 and 3 and make the best of the day as everyone had travelled and after all come to sail these two races were shorter in time but at least we managed to squeeze the three races in.
The day was rounded off in the clubhouse for prize-giving where the race team were applauded for managing to get the races in despite the trying conditions and also big thanks to the galley team and the shore based helpers.
So a big THANK YOU to all of the team at Bala for looking after us all on and off the water as without all of you none of us could enjoy the days sailing.
Next event is at Llyn Brenig SC on Tuesday August 11th. 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 see our website.
Series website: bordercountiesmidweeksailing.wordpress.com
Overall Results:
| Pos | Class | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | STREAKER | 2177 | Pete Coop | | Nantwich | 3 | ‑6 | 1 | 4 |
| 2nd | Magno | 2726 | Dan Partington | Dans Crew | Bala | 1 | ‑4 | 3 | 4 |
| 3rd | SOLO | 6107 | Ted Garner | | Budworth | 2 | ‑3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4th | SOLO | 5849 | Darren Nield | | Elton | 4 | 2 | ‑4.5 | 6 |
| 5th | DEVOTI D Zero | 107 | Ian Lees | | Scammonden | 6 | 1 | ‑17 | 7 |
| 6th | SUPERNOVA | 1184 | Garry Butterfield | | Bartley | 8 | 5 | ‑12 | 13 |
| 7th | K1 | 150 | Steve Pooley | | Bala | 7 | ‑10 | 10 | 17 |
| 8th | SUPERNOVA | 1296 | Eric Haselden | | Winsford Flash | 12 | ‑19 | 6 | 18 |
| 9th | STREAKER | 1621 | Paul Newman | | Shotwick | ‑18 | 14 | 4.5 | 18.5 |
| 10th | MIRACLE | 4010 | Mark Nield | Claire Cornmell | Shotwick | 10 | ‑11 | 8.5 | 18.5 |
| 11th | STREAKER | 2150 | Phil Watson | | Shotwick | 10 | ‑16 | 8.5 | 18.5 |
| 12th | STREAKER | 1868 | Steve Bellamy | | Winsford Flash | ‑14 | 9 | 11 | 20 |
| 13th | RS 200 | 1007 | Nayth Twiggs | Pete Chambers | Budworth Winsford | 5 | ‑20 | 16 | 21 |
| 14th | SOLO | 5062 | Graham Smith | | Nantwich | 15 | 7 | (DNC) | 22 |
| 15th | MIRACLE | 4103 | Dave Thomas | Shan Stapley | Shotwick | ‑19 | 17 | 7 | 24 |
| 16th | LASER RADIAL | 8 | Jim Young | | Shotwick | 17 | 8 | (DNC) | 25 |
| 17th | LASER RADIAL | 132365 | Thomas Walker | | Nantwich | ‑16 | 12 | 13 | 25 |
| 18th | STREAKER | 2165 | Sandy Mill | | Shotwick | 13 | ‑15 | 15 | 28 |
| 19th | RS 100 8.4 | 488 | Andrew Hodgeson | | Bala | ‑21 | 13 | 18 | 31 |
| 20th | SUPERNOVA | 406 | James Stark | | Shotwick | ‑22 | 18 | 14 | 32 |
| 21st | SOLO | 5217 | Miles Thomas | | Bala | 10 | (DNC) | DNC | 36 |
| 22nd | K6 | 231 | Mike Kneale | Peter Kneale | Bala | ‑23 | 22 | 19 | 41 |
| 23rd | TOPPER | 44978 | Charlie Partington | | Bala | 24 | 21 | (DNC) | 45 |
| 24th | K1 | 42 | David Ansell | | Bala | 20 | (DNC) | DNC | 46 |
| 25th | COMET | 900 | Neil Wallace | | Shotwick | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 52 |