Albacore Southern Area Championships at Lyme Regis Sailing Club

Albacore Southern Area Championships at Lyme Regis © David Beer

Waves are what visitors to Lyme expect and it is what Lyme delivered for the 16 competitors, with the Force 4-5 SSW wind pushing a nice swell up the Channel (not so enjoyable for those on the anchored committee boat perhaps!). The swells produced epic reaching legs during which my crew requested a periscope.

The first race was won by Jerry Rook and Jake Stow, from Crispin Read-Wilson and Fraser Earle (both boats from the home club) with Neville Herbert and Mark Fowler in Third. Positions were reversed in the second race with Nev and Mark taking first with Jerry and Jake in second, and John and Nick Greenwood third.

After 2 races on the Saturday competitors retired for the evening to the club and to a fine meal of bouillabaisse prepared by professional chef Darrol Moss (who was also crewing for his son Cameron).

Sunday produced similar conditions with Jerry and Jake, and Nev and Mark both winning races, so the title came down to the last race. Both boats were evenly matched going up the first beat but a small left shift gave Jerry and Jake the lead at the first mark, which they held to the finish, and to win the event overall.

Chef Darrol suffered a broken mast – a poor reward for his cooking the previous evening. The mast broke going to windward in the "usual" place - i.e. just above the mast ram where the strain is greatest. This was a spooky echo of the photo posted on the Club Facebook page to advertise the event.

Thanks to the host club who put on a great event and who will be running the Albacore National Championships in 2020.

Albacore Southern Area Championships at Lyme Regis - photo © David Beer

Overall Results:

Albacore Southern Area Championships at Lyme Regis - photo © David Beer