Miracle Welsh Area Championships at Bala Sailing Club
by Peter Cuthbert 29 May 2008 11:31 BST
24-26 May 2008
Exciting racing at the Welsh Area Championships © John Hunter
This event was held within the
Bala Whit Regatta that also included handicap races, and separately,
competitions for the Laser 2000, and Asymmetrics. For the Miracles there were to be
five races over the three days. These were testing conditions for all classes and also for
the rescue teams, with winds of force five both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday – races 1 and 2. Of the 12 Miracles making for the start line, some capsized or
got into difficulties, getting to the line too late to get the course. The first two races were
clearly won by M3834 Martin & daughter Rebecca Lewis (Draycott Water), whilst many
did not finish due to either capsizes or breakages. In the first race, there was some
confusion regarding the gate, those going through it downwind being disqualified.
Notably, in race 2, M1204 Martin & Carmela Burgess (Thornton Stewart) were first
round the windward mark, and held the lead until the wing mark. Dropping in on the
gybe, Martin lost the spinnaker pole and his cap. Unfortunately, by the time M1204 was
righted, it had drifted through the gate, so even though eventually completing, they were
disqualified. An excellent 2nd in the first race for M4014 Stephen Mason & Lea Beckford
(Delph) in the new FRP Mk4 Miracle delighted many, but they did not complete the
second race.
A band was hired for the Saturday night, which provided excellent entertainment for a
packed clubhouse, with a 60’s flavour mix of blues, rock and soul music.
Sunday – races 3 and 4. Janet Philips was taken ill, so Geoff Philips in M3824 (Welton)
was allowed a replacement crew in Steve Hope (LLSC), and promptly won race, after a
short battle with M3834 Martin Lewis. M4014 Stephen & Lea again impressed in third
place. In race 4 with M3824 Geoff again leading M3834 Martin, a jammed spinnaker
pole cost him the lead off wind. These two swapped the lead several times, but M3824
Martin got the gun and therefore the championship, after which the Miracle fleet all
enjoyed a (wet) barbeque on Sunday night.
For Monday the forecast was a more promising 17 knots, but with all fleets rigged and
ready for the last races, the OOD made a good decision to abandon the racing. Shortly
after his announcement, wind speeds of 46 mph were recorded.
Overall Results:
| Rank | Sail | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Nett |
|---|
| 1st | 3834 | Martyn LEWIS | Rebecca LEWIS | Draycote Water SC | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2nd | 4014 | Stephen MASON | Lea BECKFORD | Delph SC | 2 | (13.0 DNF) | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| 3rd | 4007 | Stephen COLDICOTT | Hannah BECKFORD | | (13.0 DSQ) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
| 4th | 3725 | David REED | Jean REED | Girton | 3 | 3 | (13.0 DNF) | 7 | 13 |
| 5th | 3824 | Geoff PHILLIPS | Janet PHILLIPS | Welton | (13.0 DNF) | 13.0 DNC | 1 | 2 | 16 |
| 6th | 3493 | Mike SMITH | Tom WORRELL | Delph Bolton | 5 | 2 | (13.0 DNF) | 9 | 16 |
| 7th | 3679 | Brian WORRALL | Sharon WORRALL | Beaver SC | 4 | 6 | (13.0 DNF) | 6 | 16 |
| 8th | 2462 | Paul BECKFORD | Jacob BECKFORD | Delph SC | (13.0 DNF) | 5 | 7 | 8 | 20 |
| 9th | 1204 | Martin BURGESS | Carmela BURGESS | Thornton Stewart | (13.0 DNF) | 13.0 DSQ | 5 | 5 | 23 |
| 10th | 1137 | Giles RAWLINSON | Claire RAWLINSON | Bartley | (13.0 DNC) | 7 | 6 | 10 | 23 |
| 11th | 801 | Stephen HAWKINS | Christopher HAWKINS | South Cerney SC | (13.0 DNC) | 13.0 DNC | 13.0 DNC | 13.0 DNC | 39 |
| 11th | 3747 | Peter CUTHBERT | Steve HOPE | Leigh & Lowton | (13.0 DNC) | 13.0 DNC | 13.0 DNC | 13.0 DNC | 39 |