August Regatta

Cath James reports from the August Bank Holiday regatta at Bala

The 28 dinghies that entered the Bala August Regatta were split into a main handicap fleet of 22 boats and a smaller asymmetric fleet of six dinghies. The main fleet sailed conventional courses while the asymmetric fleet competed in windward/leeward courses. The event was sponsored by Bala Adventure and Watersports Centre.

A steady force 3-4 south westerly prevailed on Saturday, providing perfect conditions for all classes. In the main handicap fleet, the order of the first five boats in the first race proved to be an accurate indicator of the trend for the rest of the racing and of the final result. Dan Partington in his Blaze had the edge over last year’s winners, Chris and Ann Biglin, in their Lark, and won five of the six races he competed in. The Lark, though, was sailed consistently fast and despite a capsize in race 5 gained five second places and one first place.

Running three races on the Saturday proved to be good planning, as a near gale swept through for three hours on the Sunday, before abating somewhat to allow two races to be sailed in the afternoon. With the wind still at the high end of a force 5, Ed Corteen in his Vortex threatened the leaders and got close with a third and second place in races 4 and 5.

On Monday the wind conditions were light and flukey with the occasional unpredictable strong gusts catching a few crews unawares, causing near capsizes, while others took advantage and used the gusts to regain previously lost ground. In the first race on Monday, Matthew Sherlock and Alison Hempsall in their Lark gained a good second place, for once edging out Chris and Ann Biglin, but they could not catch Dan Partington who won both races.

In the asymmetric fleet, Steve Bales and Dan Webb in their RS 400 won five out of 7 races, with the other first places going to John Smith and Kev O’brian in their RS 400 and Gwil and Cath James in their Laser 2000. Second, third and fourth places were very close, with Alan and Ian Elkington in thier Buzz unlucky to lose third place on countback. The asymmetric fleet appreciated the provision of windward/leeward courses and the club has confirmed its intention to continue with this format in future regattas.

Results

Handicap Fleet
1. Dan Partington, Blaze, Bala
2. Chris and Ann Biglin, Lark, Shustoke
3. Ed Corteen, Vortex, Pennine
4. Matthew Sherlock and Alison Hempsall, Lark, Shustoke
5. Ed Pressley, Contender, RAFSA
6. John Saunders and Paul Spooner, FF, Bala
7. John and Maggie Eaton, FF, Bala

Asymmetric Fleet
1. Steve Bales and Sam Webb, RS 400, Bala/RAFSA
2. Gwil and Cath james, Laser 2000, Bala
3. John Smith and Kev O’Brian, RS 400, RAFSA
4. Alan and Ian Elkington, Buzz, Staunton Harold