Border Counties Midweek Series at Budworth Sailing Club
by Ted Garner 14 Sep 06:52 BST
8 September 2026
A beautiful sailing day in Cheshire welcomed an impressive fleet of 28 boats and 34 sailors to Budworth Sailing Club for the penultimate round of the Border Counties Midweek Series.
There was a wonderful collection of boats from a shiny brand new super slick Zenith (first time in the water), high-performance RS100 and beautifully shaped D Zero to classics like the Comet, Solo, Streaker and ILCA with double handers ranging from the RS200,Snipes, Miracles and GP14s. With a great home turnout of 11 boats and 17 super enthusiastic and competitive visiting boats it was going to be a great Tuesday.
The forecast had originally been for 20mph breeze with 30mph gusts, but the latest news was of more moderate wind with 20 mph gusts which seemed more accurate as competitors looked over a truly beautiful mere with even the promise of sun. But there was the merest hint of autumn chill and looming cloud with the westerly breeze starting to slowly but surely increasing as it blew down the full length of the mere.
Once again, the fleet was lucky to have an expert race team headed by the brilliant Jon and Wendy, with excellent support on the ribs from Bill, Tony and Clive. A super square line helped the large and eager fleet to get off the line first time. The darker clouds and more threatening weather had everyone fully hiked and pulling on their kickers and Cunninghams to stay upright, as gust of more like 25 mph came down the mere in dark patches. A superb and PY rating defying first beat was sailed by newcomers David and Michele from LLSC in their Miracle, rounding the first mark right near the front of the fleet despite racing against much faster boats. They maintained their form throughout the race to win on handicap. Pete Coop expertly picked his way through the fleet to take second and below the radar for the lead boats Bill was sailing his Comet superfast to take 3rd. Thomas, a talented junior sailed superbly in his ILCA 6, relishing the windy weather to come 4th. Andy in his RS100 sailed so fast he had to sail an extra lap and was absolutely flying down the mere to the enjoyment of the spectators.
Competitors returned to the club house for a well-earned break/lunch to swap sailing stories and catch up with friends in the new super plush interior of the club house at Budworth, with its screens, artwork and beautiful wooden ceiling.
With gusts now reaching the original forecast of 30 mph a brave fleet, which now stood at 19 boats took to the water for a blast. This time it was Darren in his Solo to give a demonstration of brilliant sailing, powering off the pin end and up the first beat reaching the first mark just behind Nathan and Pete who had an excellent first beat in their RS200.The downwind legs started with a super scary run, it was the choice between careering straight down sailing by the lee or two extra gybes, both with the huge potential of a big splash. This was followed by the best bit, a wonderfully exciting planing reach with one high risk gybe to be followed by another roller coaster reach to the bottom mark before the hard slog back upwind. Thomas yet again saw no fear revelling in the conditions sailing his ILCA superfast up and down wind. So, it was Darren who took the win with Thomas second and the ever-consistent Pete 3rd.
As the fleet finished the race, the sky went darker and the Jon the PRO very sensibly brought the fleet ashore to let a squall pass through. A further reduced fleet of 9 took to the water for the last race, the wind had dropped and a warming sun glinted on the mere, but this was the calm before the storm. As the race started the mere darkened and the wind built yet again, keeping the boat flat and more importantly keeping the mast pointing towards the sky was going the be the order of the race. Ian in his D Zero elegantly pushed out in front but on handicap it but it was Pete's turn in his Streaker to show how it was done.Capsizes were frequent with some boats taking the sensible chicken gybing route (tacking round) rather than risking another swim at the gybe mark. Two Budworth boats had great races, Graham in his Solo, and the Snipe of Richard and Maxine, mastering the conditions with perfect timing between them, each taking a joint second or 2.5 points.
It had been a thrilling day for everyone and a super competition, with three different race winners, in three different boats, from three different clubs, but who had won? Competitors packed up and enjoyed a warm shower before retiring to the beautiful, stylish and comfortable newly decorated galley to watch some great photos of themselves racing on the new screen and enjoy a refreshing pint. Ted awarded the well-deserved prizes.
David and Michelle (LLSC) in their Miracle taking the prize for the first double hander with that brilliant race one performance. What a fantastic first appearance at the Borders Series.
Thomas (Nantwich and Borders SC) in his ILCA 6 was exceptional, taking both the first Junior and the third overall, it warranted two boxes of chocolates.
The series leaders were next with Darren (Elton SC) taking second in his Solo, and Pete winning (Nantwich and Borders SC) in his Streaker. Pete thanked the race team who had done an excellent job and given up their day so the competitors could have an enjoyable days racing.
Dave reminded us that the grand finale of the Border Counties Series is at Winsford Flash SC on Tuesday the 6th of October, please put the date in your diary to enjoy another great Tuesday.
Thanks to all the team at budworthsc.org.uk
So why not come and join our friendly Tuesday club? It's better than being at work!
If you want any information about the series then see our website, bordercountiesmidweeksailing.wordpress.com