Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo S Series

ILCA Open Meeting and Northern Grand Prix at Budworth Sailing Club

by Tony Wilcock 27 Jun 2024 15:25 UTC 23 June 2024
ILCA Northern Grand Prix at Budworth © James Prestwich

Contrary to the forecast of "No Wind" the nine visitors travelling to Budworth, from as far as West Riding SC, and home fleet, were rewarded with a pleasant westerly Force 2 to 3 and full sunshine for all four races.

PRO Steve Hayward, assisted by Debbie Love ARO, very efficiently, ran two races back-to-back in the morning and a further two in the afternoon. For a change all four races got away without General Recalls in part due to Steve setting a precise and suitably long start line.... and also those who normally push the line to, and beyond, the limit (often the case in Budworth's super competitive Wednesday Night racing) adopting a more reserved approach!

The range of experience within the fleet of 22 boats was vast. Ian Jones, from Dovestone SC, has been winning regattas on the European Masters Circuit this year and Paul Heath and Andy Fox, Leigh & Lowton SC, were campaigning on the travellers circuit in the 1980s. Very new to Laser sailing it was great to see Budworth's "Better Sailing Group" (those progressing from recent Start Sailing Courses) represented by Sian Hancock, Flora Maudsley-Barton and Tracy Antonelli who were all taking part in their 1st open meeting.

Race 1 set the tone for the day with Ian Jones getting away and leading throughout ahead of Paul Heath. However, Gordon Riddell, Delph SC, sailed a superb second lap nailing all the shifts both upwind and downwind to come through the chasing pack to take second with Paul third.

Race 2 was similar, with Ian again out front, but this time Tim Keighley emerged to take second and also sail very consistently at the front of the fleet for the rest of the day.

In Race 3 it was great to see Ali Cormack from the home fleet setting the pace with Ian Jones on Lap 1. It was only Ali's third time out this year! It only took one race for her to acclimatise from her current campaign in a Snipe! Yes, a Snipe!

Jon Chapman, sailing a club training boat, began to find his Balearics Laser sailing form from yesteryear too, and was now up with the leaders. However, Ian still won race 3 from Tim and Paul.

Race 4 was slightly different. Tim led around the windward mark from Jon and Tony Wilcock with Ian trailing! However, by the third mark Ian had taken the lead and Tim and Tony chased him for the remainder of the race, but only to finish in that order. With the wind filling in on the final run Lewis Bacon in an ILCA6 took the win on handicap. Lewis who had been amongst the ILCA7s all day improved his results race by race.

On a final note, we all wish our Laser Fleet Captain and event organiser, Pete Wilkinson, who had to withdraw on the day of the event, a swift recovery from Covid. I understand that he is feeling pretty rough and there is absolutely no truth that it was brought on by the light wind forecast. Get well soon Pete!

Overall Results:

1st Ian Jones ILCA7 (Dovestones SC)
2nd Tim Keighley ILCA7 (West Riding SC)
3rd Paul Heath ILCA7 (Leigh& Lowton SC)
4th Lewis Bacon ILCA6 (Leigh & Lowton SC)
5th Tony Wilcock ILCA7 (Budworth SC)

1st Youth - Lewis Bacon

1st Better Sailor - Tracey Antonelli

Related Articles

PRO Tip: Clay Dyer on bottom-contact plastics
Check out this work horse set up for plastics and jigs out deep Bassmaster angler, Clay Dyer, says a few key variables play big roles in his success while fishing bottom-contact plastics with his St. Croix Rods and SEVIIN Reels. Posted today at 5:06 pm
Luring with live bait
Keep your livewell in good working order and give live baiting a try if you haven't already Saltwater fishermen tend to fall into one of two camps; those who like using artificial lures, and those who prefer fishing with live bait. Posted on 30 Jul
A great day for conservation
Grady-White teamed up with the Dolphinfish Research Program for an adventure off North Carolina Grady-White teamed up with the Dolphinfish Research Program for an adventure off the North Carolina coast. Winds and waves didn't deter the Grady-White boat or our team, who caught and tagged eight fish. Posted on 29 Jul
Fishing: The Ghost of Fishing's Future
Meet the Mad Scientist Tackle Ghost Shad and elevate your rattlebait game Mad Scientist Tackle's Ghost Shad features powerful and proven UV coatings on a popular lure design Posted on 29 Jul
DAIWA: Palmable Powerhouse
For bigger baits and fish while still championing superlight jigging DAIWA's new 2025 SALTIGA® G 35/35L dominates the saltwater jigging scene with unrivaled power, smoothness, durability and ergonomics Posted on 29 Jul
Hover Rig: The finesse tactic you need now
Throw in a heavy dose of fishing pressure, and you have the recipe for disaster It's great when you flip a dock, laydown, or grass point and you immediately feel that hammer fall. Likewise, frogging's repetitive monotony becomes well worth the effort when that cannonball explosion shatters the stillness. Posted on 27 Jul
Helping boaters steer clear of common mistakes
Veteran Sea Tow® captains share their tips Boating season is already in full throttle, and Sea Tow®, recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea®, is proud to offer boating tips to avoid some of the most common mistakes seen on the water. Posted on 24 Jul
TATULA is Tops at ICAST 2025
All out with the new 23 model lineup of cork handle bass rods DAIWA goes all out with new 23 model lineup of 2025 TATULA cork handle bass rods and wins coveted Best Freshwater Rod at ICAST 2025. Posted on 24 Jul
Owner shares why he loves his WorldCat 325DC
Chuck highlights the unique experiences and cherished moments created Embark on the adventures of Chuck Smith, proud owner of the WorldCat 325DC. In this short testimonial, Chuck shares the joys of sandbar outings, fishing escapades, and family travels made possible by the versatility of the 325DC. Posted on 23 Jul
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction. Posted on 22 Jul
Maritimo M600Palm Beach Motor Yachts