Extreme weather

The RS300 fleet was severly reduced by the high winds at their Fat Face Circuit event in Milton Keynes

What should you expect for the first race in an open meeting held on April Fools day? Wind and plenty off it.

A south westerly, force four to six greeted competitors for the RS300 Fat Face circuit event in Milton Keynes. Thirteen lucky contestants stood up to the mark, a home team of seven from Milton Keynes, and six visitors from around the UK. Paul Barker appeared clutching a thumb straight out of a cartoon accident – claimed he had cut himself badly in the week - and was therefore unable to compete. However, he ran an effective training session for those willing and able.

In the first race, Chris Morrissey, from Milton Keynes, blasted away ahead of the pack, with Cliff Shaw, from Stokes Bay SC, in pursuit, then Barry Steel, another visitor from Aldenham SC, in third. However, by lap two, John Carron had passed them from an unusual fifth. Close on his heels was Mark Russell, also from MKSC. Phil Underwood (Cotswold SC) recovered from a slow start, working his way up the fleet but was unable to catch John Carron.

The wind eased very slightly for the second race, but the fleet had been reduced to seven. Again John Carron held everybody at bay, with another second from Phil Underwood, Cliff Shaw, from Stokes Bay SC, claiming the third.

A tricky start for Phil Underwood, in the third reace meant he was squeezed off the line, pushing him back down the fleet. Again John Carron took the race, with Chris Morrissey holding second and Cliff Shaw third.

After an entertaining evening’s social at a curry house in Fenny Stratford, racing began again promptly at ten. John Carron seemed unassailable with another first - Chris Morrissey, second and Ian Smith, Craven SC, third.

Then in the fifth Cliff Shaw managed to keep ahead of the Carron machine, with a fine win. Chris Morrissey came in third.

Everybody looked exhausted at lunchtime and conversations revolved around 'should we do another?' Four intrepid sailors rose to the challenge. Cliff Shaw took the lead, which he never lost, Chris Morrissey held second and Phil Underwood and Mark Tuffnell (MKSC) took turns at third.

It was a trying, but rewarding weekends sailing. Thanks to all at Milton Keynes Sailing Club, Howard Astley- Jones for running the races with his team, the rescue boat crews who never had a dull moment and the Galley team providing calories that we immediately ‘burnt off’.

Results:

Pos	Helm	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	Tot
1	John Carron	1	1	1	1	2	dns	6
2	Cliff Shaw	4	3	3	4	1	1	12
3	Chris Morrissey	3	5	2	2	3	2	12
4	Phil Underwood	2	2	8	5	6	4	19
5	Mark Tuffnel	5	4	6	7	5	3	23
6	Mark Russel	8	dns	7	6	4	dns	39
7	Barry Steel	6	6	5	8	dnf	dns	39
8	Ian Smith	7	dns	4	3	dnf	dns	42
9	Dan Barret	rtd	dns	9	9	dnf	dns	60
10	Stuart Leonard	9	dns	dns	rtd	dnf	dns	65
11	Richard Eperon	rtd	dns	dns	10	dnf	dns	66
12	Sarah Barker	dns	dns	dns	11	dnf	dns	67
13	Mark Ball	rtd	rtd	rtd	dns	dns	dns	70