Feva's in the Midlands

Chris Martin reports on the action

Ten boats resisted the temptation of Hayling Island YC for the smaller, taxing though not less sun drenched central Birmingham to take part in Midland SC’s first RS Feva Open meeting. The open was preceded by a training day ran via Midland SC and Youth afloat at which the competitors learned the ropes of an inland restricted water, and it was a pleasure to see the reservoir full not only with water but also with boats.

The Sunday kicked off with the predicted sunshine and a relatively consistent SSW force 1-2. The fleet was split into 2 person and single handed asymmetric fleets. In the first race Carl Short and Robert Marshall succeeded in setting their form for the day in trouncing everyone in the 2 person fleet, finishing first by a leg. The unfortunate David Homer surrendered fist place in the single handed fleet by capsizing on the finish line to allow Steve Watson a gift of first. The second race saw Carl and Robert further consolidate their mastery of the 2 person fleet, with a new claimant to the single handed throne emerging in the shape of Mike Burke.

Race 3 saw the 2 person fleet yet again won by Carl and Robert (See a pattern yet??), and Steve Watson secured another win in the Singlehanders after Mike Burke felt the need to inspect his bottom (His boats, not Steve’s!!). After lunch race four saw a battle emerging for second place between Chris Marshall crewed by Sam Evans and Ross Newey crewed by Joe Taylor. Chris and Sam took second place honours, with Carl and Robert now clinching the open. In singlehanders Mike Burke fought off David the Damp to win the race and leave the open (For singlehanders anyway) wide open. In the last race, Chris Marshall and Sam Evans secured second place overall beating Ross Newey and Joe Taylor. Carl Short and Robert Marshall took line honours and secured a perfect result with five wins. In singlehanders however there was still all to play for. Mike Burke sailed a good tactical race to win both the race and the open, with the now dry David Homer second and the previously hot Steve Watson beaten into fourth place by the new and ever improving face of Chris Homer.

Huge thanks are due to Mike and June Anslow for providing fodder on both the Sunday and the barbecue on Saturday, Alex Cockshutt and Lee from Youth afloat for providing extra boats and coaching, and last but not least to the team who ran the racing.

Overall results:

Doublehanders –

1st Carl Short and Robert Marshall (Youth Afloat)
2nd Chris Marshall and Sam Evans (Youth Afloat)
3rd Ross Newey and Joe Taylor (Youth Afloat)

Single Handed Asymmetric

1st Mike Burke (Midland SC)
2nd Steve Watson (Midland SC)
3rd David Homer (Midland SC)