Event 4
Venue: Pugneys Country Park, nr Wakefield
Date: 9 September 2007

A merry band of pirates

You can sometimes let outside influences colour your views on what the day has in store. Certainly while warm and reasonably sunny the motionless tree and the stillness of the air suggested that we would be in for some very very light wind races at the last inter-club event of 2007 – not the ideal way to finish off what has been another good year for the Zone in terms of its continuing development. For many competitors this would also be their last event as they were entering their 16th year and some good planning races would be a great way for them to finish on a high note. Not much chance of that I thought as I covered the 100 or so miles from Durham down to Wakefield.

Plenty of activity as I arrived, due in part to the imminent start of a triathlon from the lakeshore. A gentle ripple on the water suggested their was some breeze but not even enough at this stage to raise a flutter on the flag hanging motionless on the rooftop flag pole. With registration under way all the signs were that there would be another good turnout as a steady stream of youngsters made their way into the lounge to “sign up”.

Joining the home team, Pugneys Pirates were Covenham Cyclones, North Lincs Invaders and a lone Hurricane form Halifax plus 2 independent entries who were competing in their first ever inter-club event – a grand total of 48 with 22 in the 3.5m fleet.

With the wind beginning to show the first signs of rousing itself after a its Sunday morning snooze, a cross wind course was set fro the 3.5m class, while further down the lake an “M” course was set for the combined 4.5 /5.5/6.8/6.8T fleets. With the fleets suitably briefed racing got under way just after 11.00am.

Racing underway

In the 3.5m fleet, Race Officers, Tim, Simon, Roy and Derrick were cracking out the races at an amazing rate and by close of play had managed to complete a total of 12 races. Robert Griffiths (NLI) took 6 firsts to win overall, closely followed by Tom Harding (PP) who took 3 firsts and 4 seconds to ensure Robert could never relax. Joel Peacock (PP) took third place making it 2 out of 3 for Pugneys Pirates. If Pugneys were to take the overall Team award then similar performances in the other fleets were needed.

The combined fleets sailing a bigger course completed 3 races in the morning session and a further 4 in the afternoon. Luke Raistrick (PP) recovered from an 8th.place in race 1 to sail well in the 4.5m class taking 4 firsts and a second to take first place overall, followed by Joe Dickinson (CC) in second with team-mate Harry Maw in third.

In the 5.5m class Mark Sutton (PP) stamped his authority on matters by taking 4 firsts and a second to win overall, but things were much tighter in the battle for second and third places where Kieran Burley (CC) just pipped fellow Cyclone Jack Maw to take second.

In the 6.8m open class, a first appearance of the season saw Connor Bainbridge (HH), demonstrate the benefits of competing at national level as he deserted his Techno in favour of his raceboard to take 6 firsts and a second to win overall. Cyclones Kieran Henderson and Daniel Hufton ended up with 13 points each with Kieran taking second place courtesy of a lower discard ahead of Daniel in third.

Tom Dickinson (CC) maintained his impressive performances in the 6.8T fleet taking 6 firsts ahead of Joe Bennett (PP) and sister Chloe who took second and third places respectively.

Final score

The draw for the club raffle provided some valuable additional time during which to calculate the overall winning Team results which once again saw only 1 point separate the top 2 teams; however it was the home team Pugneys Pirates who scooped the award just ahead of series winners Covenham Cyclones.

Thanks to all the Club Coaches, parents, volunteers and the competitors themselves for supporting the North Zone in what has been another successful year in its continued development and our best wishes go to Covenham Cyclones when they represent us at the Champions Cup!

Team winners - Pugneys Pirates 

Report written by David Dobosn

We are the Champions!
West Kirby Warriors
T15 Champions 2008

Congratulations!

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