Brisk conditions

Justin Chisholm reports from the Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club's New Year pursuit race

Following on from the recent successful Revett Winter Series and Christmas Cracker open events Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club played host to their now traditional New Year’s Day Pursuit Race. Club veteran Harry Budd once again headed up the race management team. Forecasts of gales and blizzards resulted in a slightly depleted entry list of twenty five boats spread across fourteen classes. The absentees should have known better than to expect cancellation due to bad weather at this club who are proud of their “we race whatever ” reputation. Those who made the effort were greeted by a straight down the lake, yet shifty, 20-25 knot, breeze with gusts topping out at 30 knots.

What the fleet lacked in numbers it more than made up for in quality. Reigning GP14 world champion Neil Marsden was keen to avenge his disappointment a few days earlier at the Blackpool & Fleetwood pursuit where a capsize in his 470 had resulted in a broken mast. Merlin wizard Dave Winder and arch rival Richard Whitworth looked set for a full on match race and 420 inland whizkids Jonny and Adam McGovern were rubbing their hands in anticipation at the extreme conditions.

First fleet away were the Toppers and local junior Rob Partridge made the most of the clear air to put in some impressive early laps. Alan Johnson, more commonly seen at the front of the Abersoch Squib fleet these days, had selected an Enterprise from his extensive personal fleet and along with his son made the early running for the first hour until a spectacular windward-roll wipe out put paid to their chances.

The McGovern brothers were revelling in the strong winds and blasted round the course to take up the lead. Behind them the Merlin match race was living up to expectations with Richard Whitworth and Matt Mee holding a marginal advantage. Neil Marsden and Graham Nelson in their 470 were sailing immaculately and making a steady charge for the lead but they were not having it all their own way as Jenny and Pippa Taylor in their 29er literally screamed down the off wind legs and were ready to pounce on any mistake. Dave Exely and Nigel Hall from the home club were also putting in an impressive performance - regularly almost airborne on the long spinnaker leg.

As the race progressed Harry Reid was kept busy in the LLSC rescue boat bringing in the less fortunate competitors. Dave Winder capitulated on the Merlin match race when a spectacular, full tilt spin out snapped his carbon spinnaker pole. Impressive though this exit was it could not match the efforts of RS400 sailors Andy Fox and Laura Woosey who so impressed the judges with the speed style and flair of their wipe out that they were awarded the capsize of the day prize.

With conditions deteriorating and hiking muscles fading fast all the remaining thirteen upright competitors were more than happy to see the 15.30 finishing deadline come around. At the front Richard Whitworthand Matt Mee had to concede 2nd place this time to fellow Hollingworth Lake members Jonny and Adam McGovern. But in the end Neil Marsden and Graham Nelson proved to be just too good - mastering the tricky conditions to deservedly claim the top spot.

Overall results:
1st	470	Neil Marsden & Graham Nelson	Blackpool & Fleetwood YC
2nd	420	Jonny & Adam McGovern	Hollingworth  Lake SC
3rd	Merlin	Richard Whitworth & Matt Mee	Hollingworth Lake SC
4th	29er	Jenny & Pippa Taylor	Leigh & Lowton SC
5th	RS400	Dave Exley & Nigel Hall	Leigh & Lowton SC
6th	Finn	Justin Chisholm	Pwllheli SC
7th	Laser	Ed Thomas	West Lancs YC
8th	Topper	Rob Partridge	Leigh & Lowton SC
9th	GP14	Ian Thompson & Matt	West Lancs YC
10th	RS400	Andy Fox & Laura Woosey	Leigh & Lowton SC
Junior results:
1st Helm	420	Jonny  McGovern	Hollingworth Lake SC
2ndHelm	Topper	Rob Partridge	Leigh & Lowton SC
1st Crew	29er	Pippa Taylor	Leigh & Lowton SC