Open meeting round up from 27/28 April

A round up from all the dinghy open meetings across the UK

Lightnings at Fishers Green by David Preou

A combined event with the Comets took place on Saturday 27 April. After unusually warm and sunny weather the previous 2 weeks the conditions changed with rain and strong winds forecast for the weekend.

This resulted in a smaller than average turnout on previous years, nevertheless those who took part had some excellent sailing.

To assist those who had travelled far, it was decided to hold two ‘back to back’ races in the morning with a final race just after lunch.

For the morning's first race a figure of eight course was set in an anti-clockwise direction with the windward X mark positioned to suit a port turn.

First away was Preou who opted for the port end of the line whilst the rest of the fleet chose the starboard end. This paid dividends and Preou lead the fleet to the first mark, followed by Hollier and Hartland with Smith, Key and Brown close behind. Hollier soon overtook Preou with Hartland trying to get on terms. The strong gusty conditions made for some exciting racing with place changes inevitable, Hollier maintained his lead followed by Hartland with Preou and Smith battling it out for 3rd place, Preou finally getting ahead of Smith at the finish.

Awaiting for the Comets to finish the heavens blackened with torrential rain and squalls (a repeat of last year) but this had cleared up for the start of the 2nd race.

The course for the 2nd race was changed, this time the ‘X’ windward mark was positioned for a starboard turn with a variation in direction!

All competitors got away cleanly, some choosing port others choosing starboard, at the first windward mark everyone was in close contention, with Hollier, Preou and Hartland the early leaders, once again Hollier pulled away with Hartland in hot pursuit, the rest joggling for position. Caroline Key pressed hard and closed up the gap with Hartland, Brown capsized leaving Preou to chase, on the final leg Hollier increased his lead ahead of Hartland and at the final turn Key submarines becoming waterlogged leaving Preou to go ahead.

After the lunchtime break the conditions moderated slightly, but still with some tricky gusts, to keep everyone ‘on their toes’.
A further course change was made the wind veering north west.

This time Hartland was the early leader followed by Hollier with Smith, Key and Preou someway behind. The lead was held by Hartland for most of the race with Hollier in close contention, Smith, Key and Preou maintaining their positions, a mistake allowed Hollier to overtake Hartland at the finish followed by Smith and Preou who again overtook Key just before the line.

Final Placings:
First Place: Adrian Hollier (West Oxfordshire S.C.)
Second Place: Mal Hartland (Bolton S.C.)
Third Place: David Preou (Fishers Green S.C.)
Fourth Place: Graham Smith (Wigan S.C.)
Fifth Place: Caroline Key (West Oxfordshire S.C.)
Sixth Place: Mike Brown(Abbey S.C.)