Battle for Belle Isle

The UK Lark class have completed the last event of the season

In the closest competition for years, the 2007 Belle Isle title went right down to the wire remaining undecided until the final race at the final event of the season, the Waldringfield Lark Cartoon.

2007 National Champions Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones, chasing their third straight traveller series win were up against 2006 National Champions Alan Krailing and Edd McArdle over six races on their home turf.

First blood went to Cumley and Jones who lead from start to finish in race one. They were followed home by Krailing and McArdle and Emma Harris and Arron Woolfe.

Harry Pynn and Clare Gosling dominated race two wining from Chris and Cathy Fish and Simon Cox and Joe Hunt showing they know the river better than they think with a third.

In race three Pynn and Gosling lead early on but then took half the fleet the wrong way down the first down wind leg. Krailing and McArdle were the big beneficiaries being left with an unassailable lead. Cumley and Jones pulled through for second with Matt Stearn and Adam Owens snapping at their heels in third.

After day one it couldn't have been any closer with never more than a place between them, Krailing and McArdle led Cumley and Jones by just a point.

The Breeze was up for day two and Steve Hall and Simon Haighton were in their element. Firsts in races four and six sandwiched a second in race five, which was enough to rocket them up to third overall. Nigel Scott and Rachel Rhodes posted two fourths and a sixth to take second in the Silver Fleet behind Matt Stearn and Adam Owens. Holly Hewatt and Ally Dart showed that they aren't just quick in light winds taking the Bronze Fleet from Jamie Mayhew, who might have finished higher had it not been for a broken boom.

Meanwhile, in the Battle for the Belle Isle the, stronger winds favoured Krailing and McArdle who with a third (subject to protest) and a first in races four and five, had the edge going into the final race. A 720 on the first beat proved costly for Cumley and Jones with Krailing and McArdle's second enough to take the event and with it the Belle Isle title.

A big thank you to the series sponsors P&B, Speed Sails and Pedrollo. The 2007/08 Belle Isle kicks off at the Winter Championships at Northampton on the 24/25 November. It promises to be a fantastic event, don't miss it!

Results:

1-Alan Krailing and Edd McArdle
2-Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones
3-Steve Hall and Simon Haighton
4-Matt White and Harri Steer
5-Stephen Videlo and Chris Videlo
6-Matt Stearn and Adam Owens