Event 1
Venue: NLISC, Barton Upon Humber
Date: 20th May 07

Balmy in Barton

Following the previous days F8-9 winds, Sunday in Barton upon Humber dawned with clear blue skies, sunshine and zephyr like winds. With several Zone squad sailors having opted to attend the UKWA Inland event at Rutland and no representation from Coquet in Northumberland, 3 clubs from the south of the Zone would contest the first event of 2007.

Joining host club, the Invaders from North Lincs were 2006 champions the Cyclones from Covenham (Smart Life) and Pugney’s Pirates (Tushingham Sails) from Wakefield. Simon Seal and his team of Coaches and volunteers from North Lincs. had matters well organised and by 10.30am the 42 competitors were ready for briefing. With the largest number of entries in the 3.5m and 4.5m fleets they left with Race Officer Chris Hall after the general briefing to have a more in depth explanation of their sailing area and courses. The 5.5, 6.8 and Techno fleets who had been allocated the far side of the lake departed likewise to be briefed which would see them initially tackling a box course.

Pumping Practice

With 3 races completed before lunch, the combined 5.5, 6.8 and Techno fleet suffered the almost customary “dying” wind in the countdown to race 1, which as a consequence gave the whole fleet some involuntary pumping practice. Mark Sutton (PP) and Daniel Hufton (CC) made the most of what wind there was to finish first respectively in the 5.5m and 6.8m fleet while Joe Moore (CC) just pipped team-mate Tom Dickinson to take first in the Techno fleet. Nicholas Durham (PP) sailed well to take second in the 6.8m fleet ahead of Isaac Cooper (CC), while in the 5.8m fleet second and third places went to Mathew Earp (PP) and Jack Maw (CC). Races 2 & 3 saw a slight change of course to lessen the effect of the marginal wind with Mark Sutton and Mathew Earp continuing o share 1st and 2nd places in the 5.5m fleet with ladies Beth Plaskett (CC) and Abigail Wilson (PP) taking a third place each. Daniel Hufton (CC) maintained his good start in the 6.8m class by taking another two first places with Ryan Misset (PP) sailing consistently to take two second places ahead of Josh Brown Bolton (PP) and Nicholas Durham (PP)

Tough Competition

In the 3.5m fleet Joel Peacock (PP) got off to a flyer taking two firsts and a second in the three races held before lunch, although he was made to work hard for those results by team mate Tom Harding who took two seconds and a first. Sailing almost as consistently was another Pirate, Morgan Cerrone who recorded two thirds, with local sailor Robert Griffiths (Nth.Lincs Invaders) taking the other third place. Competition was no less fierce in the 4.5m fleet where three sailors, Harry Maw (CC), Luke Raistrick (PP) and Kieran Burley (CC) occupied the first three places in all three races and it was a scenario which was to continue into the afternoon session.

Sea Breezes

With the wind swinging a good 180 degrees courtesy of the easterly sea breeze, courses were quickly changed after lunch to suit the freshening wind. The 3.5m class completed a further four races with Joel Peacock (PP) taking a further two firsts ahead of Tom Harding (PP) and Jacob Wall (PP) in second and Morgan Cerrone (PP) third. Races 6 & 7 saw Morgan improve on his earlier results to take two firsts, keeping ahead of Tom and Jacob. Further down the fleet Sarah Laybourne (NLI) and Charlotte Seal (NLI) were showing real grit and determination in completing the races which was to see both of them earn a special merit award later in the day at the prize giving.

The 4.5m fleet completed a further three races after lunch with Harry Maw (CC), Luke Raistrick (PP) and Kieran Burley (CC) continuing to post good results. The latter races however saw good performances from Max Bushell (NLI), who took a first in race 5, Emma Laybourne (NLI) who took a second place in race 5 and Joe Dickinson (CC) who took seconds in races 4 and 6.

In the combined 5.5, 6.8 and Techno fleets, Mark Sutton (PP), Mathew Earp (PP) and Jack Maw (CC), continued their earlier good form to take the first, second and third in the 5.5m fleet, but a good performance in race 5 saw local sailor Daniel Empson (NLI) show his potential by taking a first in race 5.

In the 6.8m class only a disqualification in race 4 for Nicholas Durham (PP) prevented him from finishing second behind fleet winner Daniel Hufton (CC). While Nicholas took third place overall, a good performance in the final race of the day saw Josh Brown Bolton (PP) secure a first and Ben Foxon (CC) get his best result of the day by finishing third.

In the Techno fleet Joe Moore (CC) pipped team mate Tom Dickinson to finish first.

Covenham Cyclones take Gold

With racing completed for the day, results were checked and double checked, particularly the best 6 placings from each team which would determine the identity of the winning team. After a third and final check only one point separated the two top placed teams, with Covenham Cyclones narrowly beating Pugney’s Pirates to take the winners award.

Many thanks to Simon and the Team at North Lincs Sailing Club for their hospitality and for getting the North Zone 2007 Inter-Club series off to a flying start. Next event, June 24th, Covenham Sailing Club.

Winning Team - Covenham Cyclones 

Photos courtesy of David Dobson

Report written by:
David Dobson
T15 CO - North Zone

We are the Champions!
West Kirby Warriors
T15 Champions 2008

Congratulations!

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