Event 1
Venue: Oxford SC, Farmoor Reservoir
Date: 3 June 2006

The Jinx lifts for Oxford
Oxford Sailing Club were to be the host for the first round of the South Zone Inter-Club Championship Series and as with last year, it was with real excitement that teams from across the south zone set off to compete at Farmoor reservoir, now a regular venue on the south zone inter-club circuit.

Farmoor has traditionally been something of a jinx venue with the presence of everything except wind! But this year was going to prove different as during the week prior to the event the wind forecasts were looking pretty good and sure enough Saturday dawned on a sunny and breezy day.

Last year saw a really close battle between all the competing teams but it was the Queen Mary Skimmers who finally came good on some of their early promise to clinch the series title at the last event in Poole (write ups and reports can be found in the team 15 archive section). This year looks like another close battle can be expected - the only disappointment being the absence of the Calshot, since in the past, the Calshot Flyers have produced some great sailors and teams who have gone on to achieve impressive windsurfing achievements.

A small wind shift (of about 90 degrees) meant that the first few races were to prove a battle of tactics and knowledge just as much as it was about windsurfing ability (that’s diplomatic talk for saying it was a bit of a lottery!). Having said this, Matt Burrows (Oxford Zoomers) pulled out a blinding bit if tactical know-how by defying all others on the start line and heading off into the distance on port tack, though the fact he was on a Hifly Revo board may of added to his confidence when ploughing through the fleet on port tack (most sailors managed to get out of his way!). Other impressive performances during the morning’s racing were that of Chloe Hopgood (Zoomer), who pulled out some classic mark- rounding manoeuvers to help her to a first place in her fleet.

Lunch came after 2 races and the break gave a good opportunity to quickly get afloat and re-lay the course to take into account the new wind direction. Following a quick briefing to re-cap on the morning’s racing and highlight a few areas to work and improve on in the afternoon, the fleets were sent afloat and battle was drawn once more! 

3 races were run and more great racing was had by all. Stand-out performances were Maurice Guy (Academy Allstars) who pulled out a series of bullets in his 6.8m class; Ryan Tilbury (Queen Mary Skimmers) who achieved the same feat in the Techno 6.8m fleet, though the breakage of a mast meant that his fleet win came at an expensive cost! Helen Stainsby (Skimmers) sailed well to overcome an early set back in the first race to win all remaining 4 races and take the 1^st place in her 4.5m fleet.

To finish, a quick across the wind slalom race was held, with speed being the emphasis. Unfortunately the wind didn’t really get that strong and so a mad dash and scramble was more like it! Once finished it was ashore and to prize-giving.

The results can be found in the results section of the web site, but the winning team results are below:

1) Oxford Zoomers
2) Academy Allstars
3) Queen Mary Skimmers.

A great day’s racing was crowned with prizes being awarded by Xavier Ferlet (British Slalom Champion) and Dan Simpson (National Junior Formula Champion and former Oxford Zoomer!). And so that concludes the first inter-club event for the South Zone. We’re off to Queen Mary Reservoir next on the 22^nd July for the next round in the series, where 2005 Champions, Queen Mary Skimmers, will be looking to restore some pride and get back into the championship race; Oxford Zoomers will be looking to consolidate there early championship lead with another solid performance and the Academy Allstars from Poole will be waiting to seize any opportunity that comes their way and get that crucial result that propels them to event victory! And will Calshot turn up for this one? Who knows………

Team winners
Oxford Zoomers (Tushingham)

Event report and photos by 
Chris Lewis
T15 CO - South Zone

We are the Champions!
West Kirby Warriors
T15 Champions 2008

Congratulations!

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