Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

Comet Open at Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club

by Mark Govier 2 Oct 2018 09:08 UTC 30 September 2018
Comets at Merthyr Tydfil © Mark Goview

Virtually no wind greeted us as we arrived; but we've seen this before and the forecast was more promising. Seven visitors joined five local Comets at Pontsticill reservoir in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The forecast proved accurate; the drizzly front went through just after 11 am with the cloud base lifting occasionally to reveal the peak of Pen-y-Fan to the North. The wind, as forecast, seemed to have settled to the NNW. So, we set a conventional course with windward start, held the race briefing, and launched. Whilst the fleet was preparing the wind was still fluky but, you can only wait so long...

Race 1

At the time of the start there was wind across the majority of the course, however, the limitations of our inland location gave a huge port bias at the time of the zero with everyone crossing the line within a handful of seconds. The beat started gently with significant shifts, but the wind was still filling in as we reached the windward mark and returned on a near dead-run along the reciprocal course. As the fleet gybed around the outer mark towards the second gybe mark at the opposite side of the reservoir there was another lull and a little bunching, but not enough to upset the leaders. By the time they rounded the second downwind mark and hardened up, the fleet was stringing out. Several places changed downwind and there was a little remaining variability in the wind as the beat to pass back through the line began, but the wind had settled to come from the NNW and began increasing. Ben Palmer (Baltic Wharf) came through the line ahead on this first circuit, ahead of Chris Hatton (Bowmoor). But by the completion of the second lap, Chris had closed to within a handful of seconds of Ben. As the third lap concluded Chris had got into clear wind ahead and was followed over the line by Ben and then Bob Dodds (Crawley Mariners).

We then returned to shore for a lunch break.

As the wind had settled into the NNW direction and filled in a little more, the course was altered slightly to add another reach at the bottom of the course and add a fetch back to the line.

Race 2

The fleet were away again in good order and no incidents. This time Chris Hatton completed the first lap just ahead of Ben Palmer. They were followed by Chris Robinson (Burghfield) and Bob Dodds who were close. The course was shortened at 2½ laps, at which point Chris Hatton was clear ahead of Ben Palmer, with Bob Dodds having just nudged ahead of Chris Robinson.

Race 3

The final race was started as the wind continued increasing slightly from the NNW so no further course changes were made. This time the line bias was reduced to the extent that the majority of the fleet chose starboard tack. Rather than taking advantage of the relatively long line and splitting. This time Chris Hatton completed the first lap well ahead of Bob Dodds with Ben Palmer just astern. At the end of the second lap Chris Hatton was still well ahead but Ben had got about ten seconds ahead of Bob. The final lap arrived with a few "extra power" gusts that caused a couple of capsizes in the middle and tail of the fleet, but no problem at the front: Chris made it a clean sweep of bullets followed by Ben and Bob.

Congratulations to Chris for a solid victory.

Thanks go out to the organisers, caterers and safety boat crew and all who helped at the club on the day and before, even trolley dollies are appreciated on a congested slipway.

Overall Results:

PosHelmSail NoRigClubR1R2R3Pts
1Chris Hatton48CometBowmoor1112
2Ben Palmer597CometBaltic Wharf2224
3Bob Dodds869CometCrawley Mariners3336
4Chris Robinson867CometBurghfield4448
5Peter Mountford864WXtraStaunton Harold55610
6Scott Waterland412CometTewkesbury CSC66511
7Henry Jaggers800CometBeer78714
8Alun Bevan420CometMerthyr Tydfil87815
9Mark Govier460CometMerthyr Tydfil99918
10Andrew Brazier165CometMerthyr Tydfil11101020
11Andrew Phillips694CometMerthyr Tydfil1011R21

Related Articles

Comet Southern Aphelion at Littleton
15 entrants from 11 different clubs Littleton SC played their joker for a great sailing day for Comets after a year away from the venue. There were 15 entrants, 4 from the host club and 11 from 10 other clubs. Posted on 21 Sep
Comets at Crawley Mariners
After a windless start, much to the RO's relief a moderate westerly wind settled in Seven visitors travelled some considerable distances to Hedgecourt Lake for the Crawley Mariners YC Comet open meeting on Saturday 14th September. They were joined by four home boats for the racing. Posted on 17 Sep
2024 Comet Nationals at Merthyr Tydfil
An excellent turnout of 29 competitors An excellent turnout of 29 competitors plus supporters arrived at the stunning rural location of Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club, for the 2024 Comet National Championship. Posted on 8 Sep
The Comet Dinghy: A Best-Kept Secret?
A small, light, single-handed dinghy that offers exciting and rewarding sailing The Comet is a small, light, single-handed dinghy that offers exciting and rewarding sailing. Whether you're close racing with other Comets or simply sailing for fun, the Comet appeals to an amazing range of people - juniors, ladies and gents. Posted on 3 Aug
Cransley Comet Open
An unusually warm northerly welcomes the fleet What a miserable year so far in terms of weather! Well, for one day at least, the gods looked down on our wonderful reservoir in Northamptonshire and welcomed 10 visitors as well as the 7 from the home club to a unusually warm northerly. Posted on 17 Jun
Comets at Carsington
They won't forget this day in a hurry! Seven intrepid souls decided to tackle the strong wind forecast at the Carsington Comet Open on 9th June 2024. It was a day where rig choices came into play. Andy Dale, Ben Palmer and Chris Robinson opted for the full Standard. Posted on 16 Jun
Winsford Flash Comet Open
Fantastic conditions for the 20-strong fleet WFSC hosted the Comet Open on Sunday 18th May 2024 in fantastic weather, the sun was out 20d heat and wind was blowing from the North 6.3kts at the start of the day later switching to North East wind 5.8kts with 13kts gusts throughout the event. Posted on 30 May
Comets at Shustoke
Some sailors arrived before the club even opened and rigged outside the compound! Shustoke Sailing club hosted its second Comet Open on Sunday 19th May in glorious sunshine and a pleasant north-easterly breeze blowing diagonally across the 100+ acre reservoir. It was going to be a good sailing day! Posted on 24 May
Comet Association Championships at Silver Wing
18 boats entered from as far away as Beer, Merthyr Tydfil, Ogston and Winsford Flash Silver Wing Sailing club hosted the Comet Association Championships over the weekend of 11/12th May. We had 18 boats entered from as far away as Beer, Merthyr Tydfil, Ogston and Winsford Flash. Posted on 17 May
Comets at Fishers Green SC
Sparkling conditions, although could have done with a bit more wind Fishers Green SC held their annual Comet open meeting on 4th May, as part of their travellers' series. Comets from 8 different clubs enjoyed sparkling conditions although we could have done with a bit more wind! Posted on 9 May
Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERSavvy Navvy 2024