Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club Winter Revett Series - Day 5
by Paul Allen 9 Dec 2013 15:18 UTC
8 December 2013
Sunday 8th December saw the final weekend of Leigh & Lowton sailing clubs 2013 Revett series at Pennington Flash and the weather gods were smiling down on the water as for the first time in the series we had constant breeze throughout the day. Under a clear blue sky the 56 competitors arrived to find a force 4/5 breeze coming from the south west thus limiting the race team of Martin/Lam Parker and Alex Morrison to setting the beat across the width of the Flash.
As usual the first fleet away was the 15 boat Asymmetric fleet who sailed a windward/leeward course. Going into the final two races the series lead was tied between the RS400 of the Allen brothers (LLSC) and the RS200 of Louise McKeand/Cathy Partington (LLSC) but this proved to be the Allens day and series as they quickly established a hugh lead in the first race. This lead was slowly eroded by the RS400 of Hamish Gledhill/Simon Dowse (WRSC) who caught them at the last mark but not before the finish line resulting in the Allens finishing first and Gledhill/Dowse second (and the same positions on corrected time) Further down the fleet but sailing fast was the RS100 8.4 of Greg Booth (Port Dinorwic SC) who took third place on handicap while McKeand/Partington could only manage fourth place.
In the 11 boat Laser fleet Stuart Belfield (LLSC) took the win but was pushed hard throughout the race by newcomer Tim Luke and by Paul Graham and they finished in that order.
Third away was the 21 boat handicap fleet which included 11 Solos (the results of which are separated from the main fleet) After an individual recall a few guilty helms had to restart and this included the National 12 of Christian Day/Sophie Richards (LLSC) who at the windward mark found themselves mid-fleet. They then sailed a magnificent race as they worked their way through the fleet to overhaul the majority and to win the race on corrected time. Second on corrected time was the series leader Mike/Kaye Banner (Albacore -LLSC) and third was second in the series Mark Dingsdale (Phantom – LLSC).
In the Solo fleet Ian Hopwood (Nantwich & Borders) put in his first appearance in the series with his brand new Winder mark 2 and then showed the rest of the Solo fleet his transom as he disappeared off into the distance to take the win. Second home was Paul Heath who was one of the many who had to restart after being caught OCS at the start. Andy Fox was battling with Heath before a capsize put paid to his chances and allowed Brian Sprague through into third.
Once again the 9 boat junior fleet was given its own start. Going into the final races the sewries leader was Olivia Cuthbert (Optimist – LLSC) with 7 points from Matt Leckie (Topper - LLSC) and Oliver Blackburn (Topper - LLSC) both joint second on 11 points. Cuthbert and Leckie were missing but Blackburn was sailing and he had a close battle with newcomer to the series Tom Wallwork (Topper – LLSC) and it was Wallwork came out on top to take the win from Blackburn with Anya Haji-Michael (Topper – LLSC) in third.
After a well deserved lunch, served up by Ann and Helen in the world famous galley, the competitors did something they have done done in the last two weeks... they went afloat for a second race!
In the Asymetric fleet the Allens sealed the series with another win while Dave Exley/Nigel Hall (RS400 – LLSC) who did not start the first race, finished second to take third place in the series. McKeand/Partington scored one place better in race two and finished second overall in the series.
Stuart Belfield carried on were he left off and took the bullet and the series. Chris Scott sailed well into second and with it second in the series. Tim Luke took third and paul Graham fourth to finish third in the series.
The Solo fleet saw a new winner as, after an early battle, Heath managed to get away from Hopwood to take the win with Hopwood second and Fox third. In the series Heath managed to get enough races in to qualify and take the win from Malcolm Waddington second and Brian Sprague third.
The junior fleet saw Oliver Blackburn take the win and the series. Second home was Lorcan Knowles (Topper – LLSC) with Tom Wallwork third. In the series Matt Leckie (Topper – LLSC) took second overall from George Graham (Topper – LLSC) in third.
All competitors would like to thank all those involved in the running of the races and safety cover throughout the series, in the very trying conditions, as well as the galley and bar volunteers.
We now look forward to the New Years Day pursuit race to be followed on the 5th January 2014 by the Crewsaver Tipsy icicle series running through until the 16th March. Further details on both events can be found online at leighandlowton.wordpress.com To receive a big discount on entry to the 2014 Tipsy Icicle series book online via via the club website webcollect.org.uk/llsc/event/winter-championships You can also enter on the day at the reception desk.